The Winchester Model 1894 is a lever action rifle designed by John Moses Browning and manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms beginning in 1894. Originally chambered in black powder era cartridges such as the .32-40 WCF and .38-55 Winchester, the Model 1894 was among the first commercially successful sporting arms to transition to smokeless powder loads with the introduction of the .30 WCF (.30-30) in 1895. The 1894 was offered in a standard plain configuration as well as in varying degrees of factory embellishment. Deluxe examples were built with select walnut featuring fine checkering on the wrist and forend, and could be further specified with factory options including half octagon or full octagon barrels, pistol grip stocks, case hardened finish on the receiver and action furniture, and other upgrades. These factory ordered Deluxe rifles represent a small fraction of total 1894 production and are among the most sought after variants of the model.

The .32-40 WCF was one of the original chamberings offered in the Model 1894 at its introduction. Developed as a target and small game cartridge in the black powder era, the .32-40 was prized for its accuracy and mild report. It was a popular choice among Schutzen and offhand target shooters as well as hunters pursuing medium game at moderate ranges. By 1910 the .32-40 was well into its twilight years as a factory chambering, having been largely eclipsed by the .30 WCF and .32 Winchester Special, making later production .32-40 rifles less commonly encountered.

This example was manufactured in 1910 and is configured with a 26 inch half octagon barrel, button magazine, blade front sight, and an adjustable rear sight. The receiver, lever, lower tang, buttplate, and forend cap are finished in case hardening, while the bolt is blued. The rifle is fitted with a button magazine. The checkered walnut pistol grip stock features a grip cap reading "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO" with a floral engraved screw and is fitted with a curved steel buttplate. The walnut forend is similarly checkered. 

The metal surfaces appear to have been refinished at some point in its history, though the subdued tones of the case-colored finish suggest the work may have been performed early in the rifle’s life. The stock and forend appear to be original to the rifle and remain in excellent condition, showing no significant blemishes. The checkering remains sharp and well defined with no visible chips or broken points. The bore shows evidence of use consistent with age but remains in good overall condition and is free of any notable concerns.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
• Model: 1894 Deluxe
• Caliber: .32-40 WCF
• Date of Manufacture: 1910
• Action: Lever action
• Barrel: 26 inches, half octagon, blued
• Receiver: Steel, case hardened
• Bolt: Blued
• Lever: Case hardened
• Lower Tang: Case hardened
• Forend Cap: Case hardened
• Stock: Walnut, checkered pistol grip, Winchester grip cap
• Buttplate: Curved, case hardened steel buttplate
• Forend: Walnut, checkered
• Sights: Blade front sight, adjustable rear sight
• Magazine: Button magazine