3045

Scarce Special Order Winchester Model 1894, Extra-Light, Takedown Short Barrel Deluxe Lever Action R

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:11,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Scarce Special Order Winchester Model 1894, Extra-Light, Takedown Short Barrel Deluxe Lever Action R
This is a rare short barreled Deluxe Winchester Model 1894 Take-Down Lever Action Rifle which is documented with a Buffalo Bill Historical Center letter. The letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on February 10, 1900 (must have sat around the factory as the rifle was manufactured three years prior in 1897). Winchester factory letters state that the extra-light, take-down rifle had a 22-inch, half-octagon barrel and half-magazine, checkered forearm and pistol grip stock, Lyman front sight, leaf rear sight and plain trigger. The rifle has a blue barrel, magazine and receiver and casehardened hammer, loading lever and crescent buttplate. The stock and forearm are highly figured, "Fancy Grain" walnut with "Style H" checkering and a high polish varnish finish. The pistol grip has a black, hard rubber cap embossed with "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS". The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted, Lyman, "Winchester Express" front sight with an ivory bead and a Lyman, two-leaf, folding, Express rear sight with flat top and bright triangle. A folding combination rear sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "MANUFACTURED BY THE/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. "NICKEL STEEL BARREL/ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER" is stamped on the left barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. The serial number, "80107" is stamped on the underside of the receiver.
BBL: 22 inch half-octagon
Stock: walnut checkered deluxe
Gauge: 30 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 80107


Excellent. The rifle retains approximately 90% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish. Wear on the barrel and magazine is limited to some minor finish loss at the muzzle. The blue finish is thin on the barrel extension and there is some finish wear along the upper edges of the receiver. The loading gate has a blue-gray patina. Nearly all of the original casehardened finish is present on the hammer and loading lever. The case colors on the crescent buttplate have faded to a silver-gray patina. The fancy walnut stock and forearm are in excellent condition and show only light handling wear. Nearly all of the high gloss varnish finish is present and the checkering on the forearm and pistol grip are sharp. This is an exceptional example of a fully documented, completely original, Model 1894, Extra-Light, Take-Down, Fancy Sporting Rifle with numerous special order features.