Custom Winchester 1894 94 Carbine .32 Special Lever Rifle & Scope, 1907 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,050
WOA#: WY240315JV079
Make: Winchester
Model: Custom 94 Carbine
Serial Number: 427012
Year of Manufacture: The receiver was made in 1907, we do not know when the rifle was customized.
Caliber: .32 Winchester Special
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 94 – 32 WIN. SPL.-“, the top-rear has a Winchester proof and an oval “P” (indicates replacement barrel installed outside the factory). The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight has been removed, its dovetail is filled with a blank. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present). The left of the receiver has been drilled and tapped for a Williams receiver sight, adjustable for windage and elevation. The left of the receiver has also been drilled and tapped for a Williams side-mount holding a Burris 4x scope with duplex reticle. The body has minor wear and the glass needs a good cleaning. Due to the side-mount, the iron sights can be used with the scope installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted to the belly and another to the forend cap. The stocks have a few light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some nicks and minor erosion under the finish, but little finish wear. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Matte Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel is not original to the receiver. Some other parts may have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its current metal finish. There are some scattered small nicks and minor scratches. The action shows minor operational wear. The receiver has a few spots of minor erosion under the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots and there are tool marks around some screw heads. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle has a half-cock and a lever safety. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the scope described above and a George Lawrence Co. leather sling.
Our Assessment: For more than a century, Winchester’s Model 1894 has served as the quintessential lever action rifle. The design is still in production today and finds favor with both hunters and those who just like shooting a lever action. This example is a custom assembled Model 1894 with a 1907 vintage receiver mated to a more contemporary 20″ barrel chambered for .32 Winchester Special. The receiver has been drilled and tapped for both a receiver sight and a scope, with one of each installed, but still has a dovetail for a standard rear sight (not included). With its half-magazine, rifle-style forend and carbine-style butt, this rifle has a distinctive appearance. It should still prove to be a great hunting rifle, but would make an intriguing addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
