Hello Bruce,

Nearly all of the Winchester Model 1894 rifles that were manufactured between May 1895 and April 1932 were marked “Nickel Steel Barrel Especially For Smokeless Powder”, as that was the standard barrel type used during that time period.

S/N 162519 places the date of manufacture in November 1902.  The majority of the Model 1894s manufactured at that time were the “rifle” variation with a 26-inch barrel, with a smaller number being the “carbine” variation with a 20-inch barrel.

Bert