Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1894 Takedown Rifle

Serial Number: 341954

Year of Manufacture: 1906

Caliber: .32 Winchester Special

Action Type: This rifle has a takedown lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, the top is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21. 1894.” and “32 W.S.” at the rear. The top-rear of the barrel and the top of the chamber ring are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “341954”, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The magazine takedown arm is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6. 1893-“.

Barrel Length: 26”, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble No.5 beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top u notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel, the notch is fine adjustable. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, two sling eyelets front and rear, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light draglines, compressions and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color Lever and Hammer

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its finish. Most of the finish on the barrel and magtube is strong with only thinning on the edges of the barrel’s octagon and at the muzzle. The receiver retains some blue on the flats but most of the finish has taken to a dark patina or worn to white around the edges. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp with serviceable slots. There is some case color in the protected areas but most has muted. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the lever safety functions properly. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1894 rifle followed the other John Browning designed lever action rifles to become one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time. It was the first commercial sporting rifle to sell over 7,000,000 units, making the name “Winchester” synonymous with all lever action rifles. It was also the first commercial American repeating rifle built to be used with smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1894 in two black powder cartridges, the .32-40 and .38-55 Win. rounds, but by the next year Winchester had developed a different steel composition that could handle higher pressures. This is a Winchester Model 1894 rifle made in 1906 with a 26” octagon barrel and chambered in .32 Winchester Special. The rifle was special-ordered as a takedown, allowing for convenient storage and transport. This is a great find for the Winchester enthusiast and will sit nicely in your collection.