1895 1894 short barrel rifle|What's New!|Forum|Winchester Collector

Yeah I figured as much. Was thinking the magazine cap didn’t look right at all. Nothing a new barrel and magazine tube can’t fix.

Maverick

What I posted is exactly what you get in the letter, so that’s all the records show. It left the factory as a 26″ full magazine rifle. If it was a short rifle the letter would list the barrel length. It would also list the magazine length if it was anything but full length. . Since they are not listed they would have been standard (26″ and full mag).

Win1894

The magazine end cap there was borrowed and is part of the magazine cap for a takedown rifle assembly.  Someone likely took the existing magazine tube, cut it down and installed the takedown cap to a length where it barely protrudes the forearm cap–having been installed by drilling new holes in the shortened magazine.  The takedown lever is gone, as is the lever tension spring (would have been where the hole is in the end).  You wanted it to look like a button magazine, you can find the forearm cap with button sometimes online (gunbroker.com or ebay). 

Make sure the forearm cap you get is for an octagon barrel.  This is what it looks like (the second one in from the right side).  The button magazine forearm caps are made to accommodate the “button”.  The three shown on the left side of the pics are for a takedown rifle and standard length magazines.  Oftentimes the correct length magazine tube is sold with the forearm cap and button.  If the magazine tube is not included, you will also likely need another one depending on the length of the existing one (if its too short).  If its too long it can be cut down to fit.    Or, you can leave it as it is and not bother with it.  Depends on how much your willing to spend.