Winchester Model 94 (1894) 20” .30-30 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1965
SOLD FOR: $700
WOA#: WY240201K004
Make: Winchester
Model: 94
Serial Number: 2841263
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER — MODEL 94 30-30 WIN. / MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-”, the top at the rear has an ovalled “WP” proof. The top of the receiver has a WP proof. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number at the front. The left side of the receiver is marked “WILLIAMS”.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel and under a hood. The rear sight dovetail is filled. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a Williams adjustable aperture sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light marks and compressions. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refurbished. The stocks fit shy to the receiver.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some faint scattered pinprick pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The action shows some mild operation wear. The screw heads are tool marked. The markings are clear. There is oxidations and freckled corrosion scattered about the receiver and barrel. There is finish loss on the leading edges. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition for C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle has a half-cock safety 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: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 94, chambered in 30-30 Winchester, is one of the most iconic and revered rifles in American firearms history. Introduced in 1894 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, it has become synonymous with the American West and is often referred to as “the gun that won the West.” The Model 94 is a lever-action rifle, a design that was innovative for its time and contributed significantly to the development of repeating firearms.
The 30-30 Winchester caliber, also introduced in the late 19th century, was the first small-bore cartridge designed with smokeless powder. This combination of the Model 94 and the 30-30 cartridge was groundbreaking, offering hunters and shooters a more powerful and effective round with a flatter trajectory and longer range than earlier black powder cartridges.
The Model 94’s design is characterized by its top-eject action, which expels spent cartridges upwards and away from the shooter. This feature, while limiting scope placement options, contributed to the rifle’s reliability and enduring popularity. The rifle typically features a wooden stock and forend, with a blued steel barrel and receiver, giving it a classic, timeless appearance.
Known for its simplicity, durability, and reliability, the Winchester Model 94 in 30-30 has been a favorite among hunters, particularly for deer hunting in North American forests and brushlands where its moderate range and stopping power are ideal. Over the decades, the Model 94 has been produced in various configurations and special editions, but its core design remains much the same, a testament to its enduring legacy in the world of firearms. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
