4098 EXTREMELY EARLY 3-DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER WINCHESTER

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 500.00 USD
Estimated at 1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
MODEL 1894 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 38-55. S# 901. Bbl. 26". First year production Model 1894 lever action rifle mfg. by Winchester in 1894. The top of the rnd. bbl. is marked "-MANUFACTURED BY THE-/ -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-" ahead of the rear sight, with the cal. designation "38-55" stamped at the breech. Upper receiver tang is marked "MODEL 1894./ -WINCHESTER-/ PAT.AUG.21.1894.". 3-digit S# "901" is marked on the underside of the receiver. Metal components exhibit a blue finish. Plain wood straight grip buttstock with crescent buttplate and smooth wood forend. Aftermarket brass beaded blade front sight, with ground down semi-buckhorn V-notch rear sight. Full length mag. tube. CONDITION: metal components retain fair amounts of their original factory blue finish, with the balance exhibiting a toned gray patina, scattered spots of darker discoloration, as well as some spots of light to mild surface oxidation overall. Fair bore, exhibiting scattered spots of moderate pitting, while retaining fair rifling throughout. Buttstock exhibits scattered handling marks and impressions, with 2-chips present along the right side of the upper receiver tang. Forend exhibits a repaired crack that runs the entire length from the receiver to the nosecap, and shows heavy wear, with several deep gouges. An extremely early example of an iconic Winchester lever action rifle. (01-25119/MLW). ANTIQUE. $1,000-2,000.