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Early Winchester Model 1894 .30 WCF L/A Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,650.00 USD
Early Winchester Model 1894 .30 WCF L/A Rifle
Included in this lot is a Winchester Model 1894 with the extremely early serial number 19484, which according to the Winchester records housed at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, indicates a manufacture date of very early in 1897. When the Model 1894 rifle was introduced in 1894 it was chambered only in the black powder loaded calibers of .32-40 (.32 caliber bullet with 40 grains of black powder) or .38-55. Once Winchester perfected barrel steel that would withstand the new smokeless powder pressures along with copper jacketed bullets instead of lead slugs, the revolutionary, and still popular, .30 WCF (also known as the .30-30 Winchester cartridge) was introduced. This occurred sometime in 1895-1896. Thus, this rifle is one of the very first to ever be chambered for this exceptional cartridge. In 1897 Winchester was still producing many .32-40 and .38-55 rifles, as these were the accepted rounds of the day. To find one of the first smokeless .30 WCF rifles from these earliest of production days is nearly impossible today and it is infrequent for many to have come to light on the collector market in recent times. The features of this fine rifle have been verified by the Cody, Wyoming Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center which contains the original Winchester shipping records. Members of the museum may contact the records department for specific Winchester rifle data. This was done with this rifle. The “Call-In” sheet that accompanies Model 1894 with serial number 19484 was sent by the records department and states that this rifle had its serial number applied on January 23, 1897. It further verifies that it originally left the Winchester factory as a rifle, caliber .30, with round barrel, plain trigger, and was received in the warehouse on February 19, 1897 and shipped from the warehouse on April 9, 1897 to order number 6532. This rifle shows fine blue on the standard 26” round barrel and full magazine. The barrel retains all the clear and sharp early Winchester address stampings. The upper tang behind the hammer also retains the correct very early markings “MODEL 1894” over “WINCHESTER” over “PAT. AUG. 21, 1894.” The receiver reveals a lovely dark aged blue appearance with excellent screw heads and fine blue on the loading gate. The excellent condition of the screws is a good indication that this rifle has not been disassembled or altered. Sights consist of a special Lyman half-moon blade/bead front sight with a buckhorn rear sight complete with intact elevation bar. The walnut stock and forend is nicely reddish-brown hallmark Winchester color. The stock and forend show only light handling and very tight wood to metal fit, indicating that the stock has not been sanded, refinished or replaced. The action is tight, and the bore condition is surprisingly excellent for a rifle of this early vintage. It retains sharp rifling and is without pitting. The Model 1894 was a popular rifle with lawmen, sportsmen and especially with the Klondike Gold Seekers in Alaska beginning in 1898. Many consider this Jonathan Browning designed rifle to be the finest and most modern tubular magazine lever action rifle Winchester ever produced. A rare opportunity to acquire a classic, very early production and historically significant Winchester in very fine condition. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.