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Near New Winchester Model 1894 Takedown Sporting Rifle
LOT 1033
Near New Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Takedown Sporting Rifle
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 230622, 32 W.S. cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. Offered here is an absolutely near new Winchester Model 1894 Rifle. As
“the ultimate lever gun” for over a century, the Model 1894 has truly become the most famous
and popular sporting rifle of all time, and this example is worthy of the finest collection. The accompanying factory letter confirms the takedown configuration with an octagon barrel in .32 WS and plain trigger. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on September 3, 1904 and shipped on October 18 on order number 253589. The rifle has a blue finish on the barrel, magazine, forearm cap and receiver. The loading gate
is fire blue. The hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm
are “Extra Finish” walnut with a high polish oil finish. The full octagon barrel has a standard sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and a rare Winchester high velocity smokeless powder rear sight made especially
for Model 1894 rifles chambered for high velocity smokeless powder cartridges. The left side of the sight is marked “SMOKELESS/-.32 W.S.-M’94-” followed by “50&100 YDS”. The top of the sight base is roll-stamped with the Winchester legend and “OCT.8. 1901” patent date in four-lines. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two- line legend: “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO./NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. AUGUST
21. 1894.” ahead of the rear sight. “NICKEL STEEL BARREL/ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” is roll-stamped on the left barrel flat behind the rear sight. The caliber designation “32 W.S.” is stamped on the top barrel flat immediately ahead of the receiver. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: “MODEL 1894/-WINCHESTER-/TRADE MARK.” The serial number is stamped across the bottom of the receiver.
CONDITION: Near new. This rifle retains virtually all of the original blue and
color casehardened finishes showing limited edge wear and several very light
scratches on the buttplate. 99% plus original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The
wood shows only the slightest handling wear and retains nearly all of the original high polish finish. Mechanically excellent. This is an extraordinary example of a Winchester Model 1894 takedown lever action rifle chambered for the .32 Winchester Special cartridge and fitted with the rare Winchester high velocity rear sight. A must have for the serious Winchester collector.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000
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