This is a rather nice example of an early Model 1894 saddle ring carbine with an antique serial number in the 36,000 range.  Winchester didn't produce many 92 or 94 carbines early on compared to sporting rifles. Most of what they did make seem to turn up today showing hard usage.  These were utility guns.  However, in spite of the rough shape these early 1894 src's turn up in, these were some of the highest quality made by Winchester over its entire 112 year span of production.  As you can see from the photos, this one is well above par and gives us a rare glimpse of what these working guns really looked like during their first years of use.  Fortunately, this one was probably somebody's occasional hunting gun and saw the woods once a year.

This one standard carbine configuration in Caliber 30 WCF (30-30) with 20" round barrel and full magazine.  This is one of the earliest 30 CAL 1894's we've seen with the Nickel Steel barrel marking designating its for smokeless powder.  It also has the platinum-lined 2 leaf rear Express sight which was standard on most early 30-30's...on both rifles and carbines.  Nice early markings and knurlings include the 2 line barrel address and 3 line tang marking with John Browning's August 21, 1894 patent date.  Only noteworthy flaw I can find on this carbine is that the saddle ring has been removed....which many hunters did simply to avoid all the chatter it made against the frame.  This could be especially annoying while out in the woods stalking game.

Overall condition is NRA Antique Excellent with 75% original blue on the frame.  The left side of the frame is pretty strong...right side is a little more wear with some light scuffing here and there.  Barrel and mag tube have 80% original blue.  Hammer has 90% strong case colors while lever has 25% colors that range from light to strong in protected areas.  Loading port shows 50% bright fire blue.  Original early walnut wood is in Fine++ to Excellent condition.  Perfect wood to metal fit with no chips, cracks, or repairs.  Excellent screws throughout.  Nice bore and action.  Over the years, nice carbines with low serial numbers have become progressively more and more difficult to locate.

Item# 0958

SOLD