Winchester Model 1894 M1894 M94, Pre-WWI Octagonal Blue 26″ Lever Action Tube Magazine Fed Rifle, MFD 1912 C&R

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LSB#: 161207JJ01

Make: Winchester

Model: Model 1894 Rifle

Serial Number: 643128

Year of Manufacture: 1912 (http://proofhouse.com/win/index.html_)

Caliber: .25-35 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action, Tube Magazine Fed Rifle

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED AUGUST 21, 1894. / NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER / 25-35 WCF”, the top of the barrel and receiver are marked with “WP” in oval. The underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number, the underside of the trigger plate is marked “60”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Octagonal with Full Length Magazine Tube

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a rear vertical face, marked “PAT NOV. 4 92”, dovetailed onto the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” notched leaf on a slide-step elevator, dovetailed onto the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece smooth walnut set. The forend has a metal nose cap, the wood has nice fit to the metal structures, there are two hairline surface cracks and two small chip losses on the rear underside. The butt stock has a slightly darker tone but looks to have more original varnish than the forend, which saw rubbing. There are two surface cracks on the right by the butt plate. The right flank has some dark scratch marks, there is rubbing on the left. The LOP is 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the semi-crescent butt plate; the plate has nice fit to the wood, there is no visible finish remaining, the bare metal has light patina and a few scattered dings, the plate is in Very Good condition. The stocks are in Very Good Plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mid gray and the rifling is highly formed. There is extremely light erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 74% of its metal finish. The receiver, lever, hammer and frame all have heavy handling rub wear to bare metal with only a small amount of blue remaining. The bare metal has scrapes and spots of brown oxidation. The barrel and magazine tube have scrapes, edge wear and mild erosion on the muzzle. The sights have rubbing, the rifle looks to have seen a bit of scabbard use, but retains sharp lines and component fit. The metal around some screws have screwdriver marks, the screw heads are still highly serviceable with a few showing mild tooling. The markings are clear and highly legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition for its age.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This Winchester Model 1894 was manufactured in 1912 and is in Very Good Plus to Fine condition for a 105 year old hunting rifle. The rifling is still highly defined and should still produce tight groups, which surprised us for such a utilitarian item. It would have probably been a rancher’s favorite critter getter, also able to take coyote and other pests that affected the farm’s bottom line. With a 21 3/4″ sight radius, it would have been something accurate for its time. The metal still has a lot of nice blue remaining, the action functions well and the wood fits the metal very well. This should be a great addition to any Winchester collection.

Winchester Model 1894 M1894 M94, Pre-WWI Octagonal Blue 26" Lever Action Tube Magazine Fed Rifle, MFD 1912 C&R
Winchester Model 1894 M1894 M94, Pre-WWI Octagonal Blue 26″ Lever Action Tube Magazine Fed Rifle, MFD 1912 C&R