Pre-64 Winchester 1894 Takedown 26″ .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle, 1904 C&R
SOLD FOR: $802.00
WOA#: WY240316RG023
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1894 Takedown
Serial Number: 323593
Year of Manufacture: 1904
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a full-length tubular magazine.
Markings: The left 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.” in front of the rear sight and behind the rear sight with “30 W.C.F.”. There are Winchester proofs on the top of the barrel and chamber ring. The front underside of the receiver is marked “323593”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall, brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The front sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). The fill screw is not original to the gun.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have several scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some discoloration at the heel on the right. The fit of the forend to the nosecap indicates that one or both are a replacement. The buttstock appears to be from a later-vintage carbine. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear around the edges with some light oxidation and stubborn residue in its well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray. The rifling is well defined. There is minor erosion scattered through the bore with some spots of pitting. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly on the barrel. The barrel’s finish has a plum hue. There are some light nicks and scratches. The bolt and hammer have been polished bright. The action shows operational wear including wear on the magazine tube from disassembly. There are some nicks and scratches under the finish on the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear with soft edges. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The fit of the barrel assembly to the receiver is quite tight, we were not able to remove the barrel assembly. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and a lever-safety. 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, and the .30-30 Win. family of cartridges was born.
This is a Winchester Model 1894 Takedown made in 1904 with a 26” octagonal barrel and chambered in .30-30 WCF. While a takedown, the fit is quite tight and we were not able to remove the barrel assembly from the receiver. The rifle has been refinished, so it looks pretty good for its age, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
