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LOT 1020
Spectacular, Early Production, Documented Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle with Extremely Rare Casehardened Receiver and Factory Letter - Serial no. 7211, 30 WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, the second year of production, this is an excellent example of a special order deluxe version of the most successful lever action rifle in history, the Winchester Model 1894. John Moses Browning’s design has scarcely been changed between 1894 and today. It is one of about 155 Model 1894s built with a casehardened receiver. It is believed that only 16 of the 155 were deluxe versions such as this example. The accompanying two factory letters confirm the caliber, round barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, Lyman Jack front sight, half magazine and casehardened receiver. It was received
in the warehouse on September 14, 1895, and shipped the same day. It was brought to our attention that a casehardened 1894 bearing the same serial number was sold 30 plus years ago at auction, photographed in a small black and white thumbnail, that gun has what appeared to be a Lyman sight on the receiver. We have gone through this rifle in excruciating detail and have found no evidence of repair. The top of the barrel has the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and “30 W.C.F.” at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model/patent marking. The stock pistol grip has a hard rubber cap embossed “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.” The first year production four digit serial number is stamped across the front edge of the receiver bottom. The barrel, bolt and loading gate are blue. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate are casehardened.
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