Winchester Model 1894 in rare chambering .32-40 with very early production manufacture date, serial number 48185, which according to the standard reference, The Winchester Handbook by George Madis shows a manufacture date of 1896. When the Model 1894 rifle was introduced, it was chambered only in the black powder loaded calibers of .32-40 (.32 caliber bullet with 40 grains of black powder) or .38-55. Once Winchester perfected barrel steel that could withstand the new smokeless powder pressures, along with copper jacketed bullets instead of lead slugs, the revolutionary and still popular .30 WCF (also known as the .30-30 Winchester cartridge) was introduced. At this time of production, rifles in .32-40 and .38-55 declined in numbers produced by Winchester with the .32-40 being much less chambered than the .38-55. Of all the 1894s made, the least number produced were in .32-40 caliber and examples today are rarely seen. It is considered the most scarce and desirable caliber for the Model 1894. This rifle sports a standard 26” octagon barrel and full magazine. The barrel retains all the clear and sharp early Winchester address stampings. The upper tang behind the hammer also retains the correct very early markings “MODEL 1894” over “WINCHESTER” over “PAT. AUG. 21, 1894.” The receiver reveals a naturally aged blue/brown appearance with excellent screw heads and fine blue on the loading gate and bolt on the receiver top. Similarly, the barrel and magazine show fine aged blue mixing evenly with an attractive aged plum. Sights consist of a blade front sight with a buckhorn rear sight complete with intact elevation bar. The mechanics are tight and the bore shows strong rifling throughout. The walnut stock and forend show normal handling with tight wood to metal fit indicating that the wood has not been sanded or refinished. The walnut also displays a good, rich color. The Model 1894 was a popular rifle with lawmen, sportsmen and especially with the Klondike Gold Seekers in Alaska beginning in 1898. Many consider this Jonathan Browning designed rifle to be the finest and most modern tubular magazine lever action rifle Winchester ever produced. A rare opportunity to acquire a classic, very early production and historically significant Winchester in an extremely rare and desirable caliber. Serial Number: 48185. This firearm qualifies as an antique, and it does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.*