Winchester 1894 94 John Wayne Commemorative .32-40 Lever Action Rifle & Box, MFD 1981, ATF C&R OK

Sold For: $1,133.00

LSB#: 170217ST11

Make: Winchester

Model: Model 94 Commemorative

Serial Number: JW 20782

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1981; this rifle is on the ATF C&R list.

Caliber: .32-40 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “Winchester Model 94 32-40 Win. / Made In New Haven, Conn. U.S.A. Winchester Proof Steel”. The top of the barrel is marked with a “WP” proof, the right is marked “JOHN WAYNE COMMEMORATIVE”. The underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The sides of the receiver are scroll engraved and with scenes from his movies. The titles of many of his western movies are engraved around the border. John Wayne’s signature is engraved on the upper tang. There is a medallion inset into the right side of the buttstock. The medallion has a portrait of John Wayne with his name written above it. The lower foam tray insert of the original factory box is serialized to the rifle and reflects its configuration.

Barrel Length: 18 1/2”

Sights / Optics: This carbine is mounted with a “U” notched semi-buckhorn rear elevator sight mounted in a dovetail. The front sight is a Patridge style blade mounted in a dovetail on the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered dull finished extra fancy stocks with beautiful grain. The buttstock has a carbine style blued buttplate. On the right side, it has a pewter colored medallion with a picture of John Wayne and his name. The forend has but a few extremely faint scuffs. The butt stock has a few light marks, a small patch of finish loss is by the upper tang on the left and a few checkers have light compression. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate which has some small marks and rates in Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: The barrel, magazine tube, loading gate, lever, trigger, buttplate and hammer are blued. The receiver, barrel bands and lever have a pewter colored plated finish.

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is wear from light use and handling. There is barely any evidence of operational wear, suggesting that this rifle was shot infrequently, if at all outside of factory testing and was well taken care of in the interim. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are Clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The tube magazine holds 5 cartridges. The action is crisp as from the factory. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in its original box with foam inserts; the lower insert has a serialized end label that reflects the rifle’s configuration. The sleeve for the box is marked “Winchester Model 94 John Wayne Commemorative” and has colored pictures of John Wayne and scenes from his movies. The outer sleeve has some losses and tears, the edges are scuffed and wrinkled, it rates in Very Good condition. The foam items have a few small compression and minor losses but no cracks or major damages, rating in Fine condition. A sheet of brown wax paper is provided, showing tears and some losses, in Very Good condition for its age. A small group of factory paper (with permanent bending, in Good condition) and a leather lanyard cord, in Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: This is an attractive commemorative Winchester 1894 rifle in .32-40, manufactured in 1981 to honor John Wayne, america’s favorite cowboy. The rifle features checkering on the grip and forend, engraved pewter plated receiver and pewter plated barrel bands. The rifle retains about 98% of its metal finishes, the bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, the stocks are free from major damage and have exceptional grain. The original serialized foam insert, outer cardboard sleeve and the photographed accessories are included in this auction, making it a very nice find for Winchester collectors and fans of John Wayne’s movies. Unless you grabbed one in 1981, you won’t find one in much higher condition, if you have another in worse shape, you can take it to the range now and store THIS one at home in honor of The Duke!