Winchester Model 1894 with the earliest possible production manufacture date, serial number 13660, which according to the Winchester records housed at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, indicates a manufacture date of 1895. When the Model 1894 rifle was introduced in that same year it was chambered only in the black powder loaded caliber's of .32-40 (.32 caliber bullet with 40 grains of black powder) or .38-55. Once Winchester perfected barrel steel that would 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. This occurred in 1895, the year this example was manufactured. Thus, this rifle is one of the very first to ever be chambered for this exceptional cartridge. In 1895 Winchester was still producing mostly .32-40 and .38-55 rifles, as these were the accepted rounds of the day. To find one of the first smokeless .30 WCF rifles from 1895 is nearly impossible today and few have come to light on the collector market in recent times. This rifle shows fine blue on the standard 26” round 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 lovely dark aged blue appearance with excellent screw heads and fine blue on the loading gate. Sights consist of a high blade/bead front sight with a buckhorn rear sight complete with intact elevation bar. The walnut stock and forend is nicely figured with good, rich color and shows only light handling and very tight wood to metal fit. 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, first year production and historically significant Winchester. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.