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LOT 3003
Desirable Documented Early Production Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle with Extremely Rare Casehardened Receiver and Factory Letter - Serial no. 3599, 38-55 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, the rifle offered here is an exceedingly rare example of an early production 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, and it is the sixth of the 155 casehardened Model 1894s made. This is certainly one of the earliest casehardened examples. Moreover, the full octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent butt configuration is uncommon among the 16 casehardened deluxe Model 1894s. The accompanying factory letter states that this rare rifle was received in the warehouse on April 8, 1895, and shipped the next day to order number 9915 and confirms the octagon barrel in .38-55 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, and casehardened receiver. The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, and a folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and “38-55” at the breech. The underside of the frame has the early production serial number. Sling eyelets are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttstock. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are nicely figured XXX walnut. The buttstock has a hard rubber Winchester grip cap and a casehardened crescent buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked “1813” followed by a crossed out “1774” next to “XXX.” The assembly number “1813” appears again on the stock inlet. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 40% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The bolt retains 80% original blue finish. The loading gate retains 30% original nitre blue. The frame retains 30% original case colors most vivid on the lower tang. 30% original case colors remain on the lever and hammer. Slight patterns of original case colors remain on the forend cap. The wood is also fine with minor handling marks mostly on the buttstock and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rarity in Winchester collecting, this special order deluxe Model 1894 rifle with casehardened receiver will bring added dimension to any lever action collection. Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000