This is a very nice Model 1894 deluxe rifle in .30 WCF with a 26" octagon barrel and takedown frame.  Other special order features include a pistol gripped stock, deluxe burl 3X walnut, checkering, and a shotgun buttplate.  Low antique serial number is in the 33,000 range.  This is one of the earliest smokeless powder 1894's we've seen in 30 WCF to have the Nickel Steel Barrel marking on the left side.  Sights include the correct Winchester platinum-lined 3 leaf express rear sight and a Marbles No. 2 front sight.  It letters correctly with the Winchester records housed at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.

This rifle has a nice untouched look about it with many years of haze and dried grease built up in the corners.  Aside from the takedown action, it doesn't appear this rifle has been taken apart nor are there signs that the wood has ever been removed from the metal.  Overall condition is NRA Antique Fine++ to Excellent with 80% original blue remaining on the frame and bolt. No extra holes or modifications for sights.  Barrel and magazine tube show 90% original blue. Forend cap 75% blue.  Hammer has 80% original case colors while lever has silvered out with about 10% remaining in protected areas.  Loading port has 50% fire blue that is toned from blue to purble.  Wood shows some handling marks but is in Fine+ condition with 85% original glossy piano varnish that has a nice haze or patina over the surface.  The areas of varnish loss mostly confined to areas around the  checkered forearm and wrist due to natural carry wear.  Good checkering shows some wear but all there and has never been freshened or re-cut.  Hard rubber pistol grip cap and buttplate have Winchester logos and have survived in Very Good condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs.  

Bore is in Fine+ to Excellent condition with strong lands and grooves and no pitting, bulges, or rings.  Action works nicely.  Takedown mechanism also function correctly.  In recent years, prices on high condition Winchester deluxe rifles have sky-rocketed with high-grade examples now often-priced between $10-20K. This rifle may be in the lower range of Excellent condition but it has all the bells and whistles (Oct. barrel/full mag/pg/ch/burl/etc.), a nice low antique serial number for half the price. Best of all, there is still room for this investment to grow.

Item# 0945

SOLD