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January 26, 2011
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Trying out a new camera on a snowy day to see if I can actually take some indoor pics that are presentable.
For your viewing pleasure – I’ve had this gun a couple years, but don’t think I’ve shared it on here. As you know, I usually steer towards the short rifles, but this particular rifle was just too cool to pass up. I walked by it at the Cody Show many times, and with my short rifle blinders on, I didn’t realize how interesting this rifle was. It somehow found a ride home with me that day.
This is a 26″ Semi-Deluxe, “I’ Pattern checked, round barrel 30 WCF rifle with double set triggers. The triggers are what caught my eye, but as I looked closer I found it very intriguing that an 1894 was sporting a Mid-Range Vernier on the tang and a Lyman combination on the front. It has a nice three-leaf express riding in the rear dovetail. I had Jesi run the number and was pleasantly surprised to see that it lettered perfectly. How many 1894’s have any of you seen with a letterable Mid Range Vernier? I suppose they are out there, but it was zero for me.
I generally prefer rarity over condition, if I’m going to drop any kind of serious cash, but this gun has both. As for condition, this is about as good as it gets in my safe. This 26″ round barrel stands proud next to all the short rifles. It has some pretty good case colors on the lever and butt plate. The fire blue on the loading gate and triggers is quite appealing as well. Enjoy, my friends.
~Gary~
Beautiful rifle Gary–thanks for sharing. That’s pretty spectacular that it letters with the original sights after all those years. I have an antique 1894 semi-deluxe takedown that letters as a 25-35 WCF with mid-range and wind gauge sights. Unfortunately, it had two R&R’s at the turn of the century and was changed to 30 WCF and those sights are long-gone. I bought this rifle from Cabelas and that was my “surprise” when I got the letter from Cody. It’s in beautiful condition and I’m certain the barrel swap is consistent with factory work at the time of the R&R’s. No proof marks on barrel or receiver, barrel markings are correct, fit is perfect. It’s the second rifle down in my lousy photo. There’s a copy of the Cody letter too.
Don
Gary,
Very nice rifle… the person who ordered it that way was apparently looking for the Target rifle, but was not confident enough to buy a Single Shot (Model 1885).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 26, 2011
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deerhunter said
Beautiful rifle Gary–thanks for sharing. That’s pretty spectacular that it letters with the original sights after all those years. I have an antique 1894 semi-deluxe takedown that letters as a 25-35 WCF with mid-range and wind gauge sights. Unfortunately, it had two R&R’s at the turn of the century and was changed to 30 WCF and those sights are long-gone. I bought this rifle from Cabelas and that was my “surprise” when I got the letter from Cody. It’s in beautiful condition and I’m certain the barrel swap is consistent with factory work at the time of the R&R’s. No proof marks on barrel or receiver, barrel markings are correct, fit is perfect. It’s the second rifle down in my lousy photo. There’s a copy of the Cody letter too.Don
Don,
That’s still a very nice rifle, but I agree, it would have been a bit better in 25-35 and the sights still on it. The R&R’s help you give it a story and most likely explain the changes.
~Gary~
I think your new camera did a great job – thank you for sharing the pictures of a very desirable 94. I too have a passion for DST’s but no longer own a gun with them. Burt
November 7, 2015
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I’m glad your blinders malfunctioned, Gary. I like a gun with upgraded sights. The rest of the rifle is pretty special too, new camera did a good job of capturing that for us. Nice!
Mike
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
Gary,Very nice rifle… the person who ordered it that way was apparently looking for the Target rifle, but was not confident enough to buy a Single Shot (Model 1885).
Bert
Tough room! Person you’re referring to probably left for the Happy Hunting Grounds over seventy years ago but you’re ragging on him anyway? Even then there probably weren’t enough Single Shots to go around. 
Mike
Gary,
Gorgeous rifle that anyone should be more than proud and happy to own! It is in wonderful condition and like you I do tend to chase unique configurations more than condition. But when you find the two married in one rifle how can you NOT like it.
Congrats
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
Nice rifle Gary. Honing your photography skills will be very helpful with all of the articles you plan on writing…
TXGunNut said
Tough room! Person you’re referring to probably left for the Happy Hunting Grounds over seventy years ago but you’re ragging on him anyway? Even then there probably weren’t enough Single Shots to go around.
Mike
Ragging? I see no ragging here. Bert just made a statement of fact. After all, the M1885’s are his favorite. Big Larry
November 7, 2015
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I was giving Bert a hard time, Big Larry. 
My little collection is mostly lever guns and one of the reasons is that a good Single Shot is pretty tough to find these days. Seems Bert has gone out and scooped up quite a few of the good ones for himself! I’ll give Bert credit, though. He’s been very gracious in helping me in my quest.
Sometimes what makes a gun rare today are impractical, if not foolish, options chosen by the original buyer in that golden-age of gunmaking when anything a paying customer could dream up would be happily provided without consideration of whether it made good sense or not. Appears this particular buyer was entertaining fantasies of making 500 yd shots, to think he needed such a target sight along with set triggers. Within the realistic range limits of an (un-scoped) .30-30, a Lyman tang sight would have been the experienced hunter’s first choice. Does the condition of this gun suggest it ever got further than someone’s Park Avenue den or gun room?
TXGunNut said
I was giving Bert a hard time, Big Larry.
An interview with Joe Cornell, if he succeeds in pulling that off, will probably atone for sins past & future.
clarence said
Sometimes what makes a gun rare today are impractical, if not foolish, options chosen by the original buyer in that golden-age of gunmaking when anything a paying customer could dream up would be happily provided without consideration of whether it made good sense or not. Appears this particular buyer was entertaining fantasies of making 500 yd shots, to think he needed such a target sight along with set triggers. Within the realistic range limits of an (un-scoped) .30-30, a Lyman tang sight would have been the experienced hunter’s first choice. Does the condition of this gun suggest it ever got further than someone’s Park Avenue den or gun room?
I think you’re right on the money. I believe that was the fate of my 1894 (in the second post of this thread). The owner shortly realized the impracticality of an 1894 takedown as a target rifle. In the R&R’s is was changed from 25-35 to the more versatile 30 WCF for hunting. The sights were also swapped out with a Lyman front and a Lyman tang sight. It must have been a successful conversion since there are now two kill marks on the forearm.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
Sometimes what makes a gun rare today are impractical, if not foolish, options chosen by the original buyer in that golden-age of gunmaking when anything a paying customer could dream up would be happily provided without consideration of whether it made good sense or not. Appears this particular buyer was entertaining fantasies of making 500 yd shots, to think he needed such a target sight along with set triggers. Within the realistic range limits of an (un-scoped) .30-30, a Lyman tang sight would have been the experienced hunter’s first choice. Does the condition of this gun suggest it ever got further than someone’s Park Avenue den or gun room?
There are a number of reasons I like this rifle, Clarence. First of all, it’s a reminder that in those days Winchester never got too big to build a special rifle for someone just because he wanted something different-even if it made little sense to most folks. I don’t know what the accuracy limitations are for the 1894 or the 30WCF cartridge but I’ve been very impressed by several of the vintage Winchesters I’ve had the pleasure to shoot. I won’t shoot at game much over 100 yards with a vintage Winchester but I suspect this rifle could make shooting a 12″ gong at 500 yards quite entertaining. I know the 1894 wouldn’t keep up with the 1885 or even the 1886 but an experienced iron sight shooter can get 2 MOA groups out of a vintage 1894 in good condition. Then, like now, most shooters probably didn’t have the skill to take advantage of all the accuracy a rifle has to offer. I think the thutty-thutty’s reputation has taken a big (and undeserved) hit in the 115 years since this rifle was built, it was an outstanding cartridge in the early days of smokeless powder and still a sentimental (and capable) favorite today. It seems to me the 30WCF was one of the cartridges responsible for the demise of the 38-55 and the 32-40, both very capable cartridges.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
TXGunNut said
I was giving Bert a hard time, Big Larry.An interview with Joe Cornell, if he succeeds in pulling that off, will probably atone for sins past & future.
Could be fun, Clarence. Only problem is that I doubt Mr. Cornell will benefit from the conversation and will continue his egotistical ways.
Mike
TXGunNut said
There are a number of reasons I like this rifle, Clarence.
Oh, I like strange & eccentric things, too; if they were common-sense practical, they probably wouldn’t be rare.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
Oh, I like strange & eccentric things, too; if they were common-sense practical, they probably wouldn’t be rare.
…or interesting. I agree.
Mike
Pdog 72
Does the rear of the bolt hit or touch the tang sight? Or does it come very close to hitting it? If, so how close?
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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