Winchester Model 1894 .30WCF – SPECIAL-ORDER, SEMI-DELUXE SHORT RIFLE

Scan the internet for Winchester Model 1894’s and you will find a very large selection with wildly varying prices.  You will see many rifles with standard features and 26” barrels, and even more carbines with 20” barrels, as after about 1936 the rifle was discontinued.  What then is a “SEMI-DELUXE SHORT RIFLE” and why is it so special?  The “SHORT RIFLE” refers to a Model 1894 with rifle features, ie the crescent steel buttplate and a forend with a steel nose cap, but with a shorter than 26” standard length rifle barrel.  The “SEMI-DELUXE” refers to the special-order feature of a capped pistol grip stock and factory checkering.  Very few Model 1894 SEMI-DELUXE SHORT RIFLES WERE MADE.  This RARE 1894 Semi Deluxe Short Rifle, sn464685, was made in 1908 with several special-order features, including CAPPED PISTOL GRIP AND CHECKERED WOOD, 22” 1/2 ROUND/1/2 OCTAGON BARREL, HALF MAGAZINE (BUTTON MAG), BEECH COMBINATION FRONT SIGHT WITH #22H REAR SIGHT WITH PROPER 1B ELEVATOR.  Anybody that knows the Winchester Model 1894 realizes how rare it is to find a special-order rifle with this combination of features.  And of course, rarity and desirability are what drives the value.  We have thoroughly inspected this Model 1894 and it is factory correct in every way.  The photos will show the internal stampings of the matching “assembly numbers (8649)” on the top tang, the end of the buttstock under the buttplate, and on the underside of the buttplate itself.  These assembly numbers assured that these hand fit buttplates and buttstocks could go to the appropriate finishing department and come back to the proper action and barrel assembly.  The assembly numbers demonstrate this rifle is a Winchester Semi-Deluxe and is factory correct.  Cody Firearms Museum only has records up to 1906 on the Model 1894, so a letter is not available.  It is becoming more difficult to find a Model 1894 with much of the original factory finish remaining and this rifle has not been molested in anyway, retaining Winchester factory finishes on all metal and wood.  The barrel blue is 98% with a beautiful shiny bore and crisp rifling (BORE RATES 9.5 OUT OF 10).  The action retains only traces of original blue (the blue commonly flaked off the Model 1894 action during this period), has perfect screws, the lever and hammer retain 65% case color (beginning to fade but all there), loading gate retaining most all its niter blue, the bolt shows strong blue.  The buttstock and forend retains most of the original factory varnish and strong checkering, with numerous field marks, no cracks or repairs.  This gun was used but carefully maintained.  The action functions flawlessly, In addition, our Gunsmith department has disassembled the action of rifle to the smallest parts, Ultrasonic cleaned and scrubbed to shiny metal, inspected all for integrity and function, lubricated and reassembled, a $375 service in our shop. From George Madis’ ‘The Winchester Book’, page 412 describes an almost identical Short Rifle, with the author noting that a part round barrel is a rarity as is a barrel length of 22″ on any Model 1894 rifle. Except for the sights, the rifle we are offering for sale is the same rifle shown in Madis’ book. With its mirror bore and dynamic handling characteristics, this Model 1894 will perform better than any modern “wanna be” lever gun and do so with class.  What a great piece of history in this 118-year-old rifle.  Winchester lever guns have been very strong, investment quality tangible assets, and special-order rifles in high original condition are sure to continue gaining value.  Just imagine stalking a fine buck with this Semi-Deluxe Rifle in the very capable .30-30 caliber and taking game with a piece of American history!  Thanks for looking.