Winchester 1894 ’94 Saddle Ring Carbine SRC .30-30 WCF Lever Rifle 1914 C&R

SOLD FOR: $920

WOA#: WY230525DD005

Make: Winchester

Model: 1894 (94)

Serial Number: 743219

Year of Manufacture: 1914

Caliber: .30 W.C.F. Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings:  The left of the barrel 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 dovetail, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” below the dovetail and at the receiver with “30 W.C.F.”. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the chamber ring are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The front underside of the receiver is marked “743219”. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1894 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”.  The buttplate is marked “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS”.  The bottom of the receiver in front of the trigger is marked “EX”.

Barrel Length: 20″

Sights / Optics:  The front sight is a tall blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The rear sight presents a “U”-notch when folded down with a “U”-notched slider on the ladder which is marked from “0” to “20” in multiples of 5. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, some of these have damaged portions of the surface wood.  Most notable in the buttstock on the left side is a crude carving of a deer head. There is a crack on the left of the top tang that has been glued. The LOP measures 12.75″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate.  The left side of the receiver has a side saddle ring.  Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition:  The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.  The bore rates 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition:  This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in light surface oxidation on the receiver. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scratches. The screw heads are sharp. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. The barrel has turned a nice plum color.  Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics:  The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and there is 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 was the first commercial American repeating rifle built to be used with smokeless powder. The 1894 was originally chambered to fire 2 metallic black powder cartridges, the .32-40 Winchester and .38-55 Winchester. In 1895 Winchester went to a different steel composition for rifle manufacturing that could handle higher pressure rounds and offered the rifle in .25-35 Winchester and .30-30 Winchester.  This is a Winchester Pre-64 Model 94 Carbine in .30 WCF that was made in 1914. The rifle has some honest wear, but retains a great bore and strong mechanics. This rifle could be back out in the field dropping deer for another lifetime but, as with most pre-1964 Winchesters, may also interest the collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!