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Winning Bid US $5513 First bid $5000 Quantity 1 # of bids 3 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2022-07-28 00:00:00 Ended 2024-03-01 22:05:02

EXCEEDINGLY RARE Winchester, Model 1894 1st Week of Production, CAL: 38-55, MFG: 1894, SN: 129, Lever Action Rifle, 26'' Octagon barrel. 10 shot Full mag. This is a fantastic example of one of the earliest known 1894 Winchesters built. The first day of 1894 production was October 20th 1894. According to Cody Winchester Factory Records, this rifle's serial number was applied on October 22nd 1894, the third day of production. It was received in the warehouse on October 26th & was shipped from the warehouse on October 31st, as part of order #549. The model 1894 is arguably the most popular lever action hunting rifle of all time, with over 7,000,000 units sold worldwide. Early production examples are rarely encountered & are often considered the Holy Grail of any Winchester lever collection. As a standard Sporting Model having an octagon barrel, this rifle weighed in at 7.5 lbs & had an original cost of $19.50, as compared to the round barrel option weighing 7.25 lbs & costing just $18.00. Since this is a rare 1st model, it has the external guide rail screws showing on both sides of the receiver. Only about 2000 early 94's were made this way & were probably direct copies of John Browning's original patent prototype. Like all other known 1st models, its in caliber 38-55. Another very rare feature on this gun are matching assembly #s of ''80''. Only a few of the earliest 1st models had #s stamped on the lower tang & inside the stock. These assembly #s appear to have been used only during the first few weeks or months of production & were quickly phased out. Thus nearly all the first models lack assembly #s, with most only having them on the tang & not the wood in the higher 3-digit range. This being a very low 3-digit #, it has both assembly #s on the lower tang & inside the wrist of the wood. It has all the correct earliest style markings with 2 line barrel address & 3 line upper tang markings with John Browning's August 21, 1894 Patent date. It also has the hammer with early widow's peak bordered knurling. The straight grip wood stocks are excellent & solid, displaying a majority of the original finish. The stock carries several small scratches, scrapes & tiny contusions. The overall appearance of the stocks is excellent. The metal finish has worm & toned to a thinning brown patina with the most color remaining on the barrel. The receiver finish is thinned the most, but still has remains of the original blue in protected areas. Bore is good, with areas of pitting & roughness amongst strong rifling. The barrel holds the original sights, including a standard front with German silver blade & semi-buckhorn adjustable elevation rear sight. Buttstock carries the original smooth crescent metal buttplate. This rifle comes with a Factory Record request sheet confirming the configuration & dates. Few 3 digit rifles still exist & those that do reside in museums & high profile collections. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a seldom seen first week rifle, especially on in such high & fabulous collectors condition.* Antique, No FFL Req. - Value: 10000 to 20000

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Price

EXCEEDINGLY RARE Winchester, Model 1894 1st Week of Production, ... Item # 4037 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $5513

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