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LOT 24
Outstanding, Benchmark Antique Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle in Highly
Desirable .38-55 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 11689, 38-55 WCF cal., 26 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, the second year of production,
this is an outstanding example of a standard configuration Winchester Model 1894 rifle.
The included factory letter confirms the current configuration as well as the serial number
application date of November 12,1895, receipt at the warehouse on 16 December 1895
and shipment on 20 February 1896 in order number 6485. Few things are more inherently
American than a Winchester lever action rifle, and they continue to hold legendary status
within American folklore right alongside the Colt Single Action Army revolver, apple
pie, baseball, muscle cars, and bourbon. They remain one of only a handful of items that
immediately invoke a visceral connection with this country, particularly its wild frontiers. The
Model 1894 was the most prolific of Winchester’s lever actions, with more than 7,500,000
having been produced. About one quarter of the Model 1894 production up to around serial
number 353,999 was chambered in .38-55 W.C.F. like this example, and it remains a popular
caliber among collectors to this day. These Model 1894s, particularly the early production
examples, were seen as utility guns and often saw hard use in the American West on the
frontier, leaving very few examples in high condition like this one. It is far more common
to see high condition early Model 1894s in special order or deluxe configurations on the
collectors market than these standard configuration guns, which were often viewed more
as a tool or working gun rather than something that should be kept pristine and protected.
This specific rifle is marked with standard two-line address and “38-55” on top of the barrel,
three-line model/trademark/patent date on the upper tang, and serial number on the bottom
of the receiver. It is fitted with a dovetailed beaded blade front sight, three-leaf express rear
sight, and a tang mounted peep sight. The sights all have the appearance of having been
installed by the factory, despite not being listed in the factory letter. Mounted with a smooth
forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
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