Winchester lever action identification

STUKA · Nov 9, 2025

Barn find today-old Winchester lever action,very crusty and only suitable for a wall hanger.
What model is it, 1892 or 1894?
I dont think ill be able to get the tang sight off to read the model number.
Can anyone ID it visually?

Octagon barrel says'
'NICKEL STEEL BARREL'
'ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER'
.32 WS
Serial number dates it to 1917 if its a 92,and 1918 if it's a 94.

Mikej · Nov 9, 2025

Got to keep an eye on this one! Picture of the top/slide/bolt would say what model.

Tlock · Nov 9, 2025

Looks like a 94. Im not a exspert but it looks just like my 94 from 1906

RVTECH · Nov 9, 2025

It is definitely a mod 94 and appears to be a 24" 'Sporting' rifle. Mod 92's were never chambered in .32 Special and did not have 'nickle steel' barrels.

Obviously the stock is upside down.

I see the hammer appears to be 'cocked'. Can you work the action to make sure it is unloaded?

I'm going to say it is a carbon copy of my 1899. The one on the right!

Mikej · Nov 9, 2025

RVTECH said:
Obviously the stock is upside down.

I thought something was whacky there. didn't know you could do that!

RVTECH · Nov 9, 2025

Mikej said:
I thought something was whacky there. didn't know you could do that!

Yea, not the first time I have see that actually!

nehalemguy · Nov 9, 2025

I'd get that thing running again.

-E-

Tlock · Nov 9, 2025

nehalemguy said:
I'd get that thing running again.

-E-

Ya definitely! Id buy it from him

Lilhigbee · Nov 9, 2025

Not too crusty at all. I'd bet with a little effort it would be functional and in pretty nice shape.

Andy54Hawken · Nov 9, 2025

Nice project Winchester 94 rifle.
And yep...upside down stock...silly left handers....

Andy

64MercurysRule · Nov 9, 2025

Lilhigbee said:
Not too crusty at all. I'd bet with a little effort it would be functional and in pretty nice shape.

Even Krusty thinks it's not too crusty to bring her back .

RVTECH · Nov 9, 2025

Lilhigbee said:
Not too crusty at all. I'd bet with a little effort it would be functional and in pretty nice shape.

Yea, my 1899 sat in a closet for 50 years in San Francisco!

Fortunately when recovered a green shell was ejected out but other than that no real corrosion or rust.

When I eventually tore it down completely I only found a very small amount of surface rust inside the receiver but nothing major.

It probably HELPED that it PROBABLY had NEVER been cleaned as I had to scrape off hardened deposits of powder, dirt etc. Heck there were spider webs in the barrel!

Not bad for 126 years!

STUKA · Nov 9, 2025

RVTECH said:
It is definitely a mod 94 and appears to be a 24" 'Sporting' rifle. Mod 92's were never chambered in .32 Special and did not have 'nickle steel' barrels.

Obviously the stock is upside down.

I see the hammer appears to be 'cocked'. Can you work the action to make sure it is unloaded?

I'm going to say it is a carbon copy of my 1899. The one on the right!

View attachment 2192709

The hammer spring appears to be inoperable,so the hammer flops around on its own.
No rounds in the chamber!

I was going to leave the stock upside down since that's how I found it,but,I couldn't resist putting it the way it should be.

Thanks to everyone for the info!

STUKA · Nov 9, 2025

Update-I reoriented the stock to its proper position, and the hammer now works fine.
I have limited experience with these, but I realize now that the stock holds the spring in place..It cycles and seems to function just fine now!