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Here’s a rare one. I normally prefer higher condition for my collection but that full octagon extra light matted barrel along with the straight grip deluxe stock makes this a pretty rare piece. The main detractions for me are the crack in the stock, possible non-factory installed Lyman 21, and the lack of finish on the receiver. Interested to see what fellow Winchester collectors think of this rifle and how much the mentioned flaws influence its collectability and value. I would normally consider bidding on this gun but I just blew my funds on a nice model 94 15-inch trapper made in 1923. I’ll post photos as soon as I get it.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/943144691
Don
I wouldn’t give a flip whether the 21 is factory or not–it makes it a better & rarer gun. And I like the appearance of the rcvr–better a smooth even patina than better blue with scratches in it. Too bad about the crack, but that’s often the price of highly figured wood.
Don,
Interesting Model 1894. These are my observations;
1. It does appear to be an Extra Light Weight rifle. The taper on the barrel is definitely more pronounced than a standard Sporting Rifle, and the front sight is taller than standard.
2. The matted barrel appears to be factory original work.
3. The Straight grip w/checkered stocks also appears to be correct. I suspect that the lower tang is marked “XX”. What I abhor about it is the poorly repaired, nasty looking, broken butt stock. I would also want to remove the butt stock and verify it has a matching assembly number marked in the upper tang channel and on the left side of the lower tang.
4. The Lyman No. 21 is more than likely original (they were more frequently ordered on the Take Down rifles), but I would want to dismount it and inspect the machining of the rear mount hole.
If the configuration is 100% original (and I believe that it is), this is a relatively rare Model 1894, with four special order features.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
3. The Straight grip w/checkered stocks also appears to be correct. I suspect that the lower tang is marked “XX”. What I abhor about it is the poorly repaired, nasty looking, broken butt stock.
Worse breaks than this can be repaired to be almost unnoticeable, but once an amateur glue job has been attempted, it’s beyond restoration.
The Lyman 21 looks to be mounted a little too close to the rear of the receiver. The head of the hammer screw should be centered in the adjustment slot.
Dana
TR said
Is the barrel really 25″ as stated in the description? T/R
Doubtful… the seller is more than likely forgetting to measure the threaded shank that extends into the receiver frame.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
TR said
Is the barrel really 25″ as stated in the description? T/R
Doubtful… the seller is more than likely forgetting to measure the threaded shank that extends into the receiver frame.
Can’t expect a beginner to know everything–only 7300+ sales.
I saw that rifle on Gun Broker. It looks all original to me but I too question the Lyman 21 receiver sight not being factory installed. In addition to what Dana pointed out, I believe the bluing on the sight is better than the receiver. Regardless, this model 1894 has some pretty rare features. What do you think it will go for?
Was the buttstock broken completely in half. It looks that way on one side but I couldn’t tell on the other side.
January 26, 2011
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dane62 said
The Lyman 21 looks to be mounted a little too close to the rear of the receiver. The head of the hammer screw should be centered in the adjustment slot.Dana
Here’s a pic of one that I have that letters. Looks to be the same mounting position.
Don – I agree, it’s a rare combination of attributes and great looking rifle. A few condition concerns, but really a pretty cool piece. At least it started out at the low end so we can see what the price rises to. Some of the folks that sell a wide range of guns will stumble on something like this and start out the bidding at $10k and wonder why it doesn’t get any hits. If it warrants that kind of money, it will get there from a penny start, while allowing a long list of bidders to dream along the way.
~Gary~
steve004 said
Was the buttstock broken completely in half. It looks that way on one side but I couldn’t tell on the other side.
It appears to me (as shown in picture no. 36) that the break went all the way through the stock.
https://cdn.d4liberty.com/uploads/FIREARMS/169220/P1550731.JPG
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Because the gun is not in a letter-able range the smart buyer has to know if it’s original to go past $2000. That vintage of 1894 the parts swapped from donor guns can make anything or repair any flaw. Winchester parts are amazingly interchangeable. Perhaps a Google search of the serial number is in order. T/R
tionesta1 said
I saw that rifle on Gun Broker. It looks all original to me but I too question the Lyman 21 receiver sight not being factory installed. In addition to what Dana pointed out, I believe the bluing on the sight is better than the receiver. Regardless, this model 1894 has some pretty rare features. What do you think it will go for?
Al,
Take note of the fact that there is essentially zero sight elevator wear to the matted area directly behind where a rear sight would have been installed. That fact leads me to conclude that the Lyman No. 21 has a high probability of being factory installed.
I still abhor that crudely repaired butt stock… I could not look at without serious regrets if it were mine.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
TR said
Because the gun is not in a letter-able range the smart buyer has to know if it’s original to go past $2000. That vintage of 1894 the parts swapped from donor guns can make anything or repair any flaw. Winchester parts are amazingly interchangeable. Perhaps a Google search of the serial number is in order. T/R
Until it was posted here, I had not yet encountered that rifle (it was a brand new entry in my research survey). I suspect that it has been buried in someone’s collection for at least the past 20-years.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
tionesta1 said
I saw that rifle on Gun Broker. It looks all original to me but I too question the Lyman 21 receiver sight not being factory installed. In addition to what Dana pointed out, I believe the bluing on the sight is better than the receiver. Regardless, this model 1894 has some pretty rare features. What do you think it will go for?
Al,
Take note of the fact that there is essentially zero sight elevator wear to the matted area directly behind where a rear sight would have been installed. That fact leads me to conclude that the Lyman No. 21 has a high probability of being factory installed.
I still abhor that crudely repaired butt stock… I could not look at without serious regrets if it were mine.
Bert
Good point Bert. I looked more closely at the pictures, and agree.
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