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Winchester 1894 20" Short Rifle --"Border Model" from Mexican Revolution Era--
Guns International #: 101243484 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Winchester Rifles - Lever Pre-64 - Winchester Rifles - Model 1894 Pre-64
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 45
Total Number of Listings: 584
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
SALE PENDING. This is a scarce little Winchester Model 1894 Short Rifle with a special order 20" Octagon barrel in Caliber .30 WCF. It is in NRA Antique Very Good Plus Condition which is much nicer than the shape you usually find these in as most were used as tools where they lived outdoors. Serial Number is in the 572,000 which dates it to 1912 production. Standard full magazine, crescent rifle buttplate, and standard sights. This is a true short rifle, not a rifle that was cut down like so many being passed off as "real". That said, the first thing to look for on a Short Rifle is the forend. This one has the correct
8 1/2" forend length which is an inch shorter than standard. Please see the photos we took of this rifle next to a Model 1894 Sporting Rifle with standard 26" barrel and you'll notice the difference. You'll also see that the rear sight dovetail is closer to the frame on a short rifle than what you see on a standard rifle. Also note the spacing from the magazine tube holder dovetailed into the bottom of the barrel is the proper distance from the muzzle as well as the front sight. The barrel and magazine tube still show 75% thinning original blue while the receiver and forend cap flaked to silver. There are some hints of case color on the hammer while the hammer and lever have turned grey. The original walnut stock and forend are in Fine Condition with mainly must light handling marks and very good wood to metal fit. Again, for a short rifle, this 1894 has fantastic wood. The bore is also considerably better than what one would expect as its in Good Plus to Very Good Condition with strong rifling, a little frosty, but no rings or bulges. Sights include the correct solid steel front and semi-buckhorn rear. Correct tang and barrel markings on left hand side. See photos.
History: Following the Civil War, Mexico was one of the biggest markets for Winchester Repeating Arms starting with the Model 1866. Fifty years later, the demand increased considerably during the Mexican Revolution. At this time, short rifles were already somewhat unique to this region going back to the 1890's with the Model 1873 and continuing through the Model 1894. Winchester sold these short rifles for the same price as a saddle ring carbine. There is a reason for this which I don't have time to go into but enough of them have turned up along the Texas/Mexico Border to earn the nickname "Border Models". That said, I don't have any history on this particular short rifle but its configuration and date of manufacture coincide perfectly with Northern Mexico during the Revolution. This one was made in 1912 (572,000) in the early years of the Mexican hostilities which started around October 1910 and lasted into 1917. Model 1894's found in the 500,000 and 600,000 serial ranges are in my opinion prime real estate for the Mexican Revolution, especially if they're well-worn carbines. I'm far from an expert on this conflict but there were basically Three Revolutionary Factions seeking to overthrow the Gov't of Mexico; Zapata in the South, Carranza's Constitutionalist Army in the North, and Pancho Villas Army also in the North. From there, it was basically a Battle Royale with Carranza coming out on top over Zapata and Villa until he was assasinated in 1920. Being closest to the US Border, it seems one of the latter two Armies would have had a better chance at acquiring these Winchesters. Zapata in the South had the most trouble equipping his Army. Over the years, I've studied hundreds of photographs from the Mexican Revolution and can say that the most commonly seen weapon in images are German Mausers and the Model 1894 Winchester, especially the Saddle Ring Carbines. You might find a photo of a Revolutionary with a Model 1894 Short Rifle for every Hundred you'll see holding a Saddle Ring Carbine. I feel lucky to have found two photographs that can be positively identified as 1894 Short Rifles which are at the bottom of this ad. Other models seen commonly but to a lesser extent are Winchester Model 1895's, 1892, 1873's, and even a few Model 1866's. From there, you will also occasionally see Remington Rolling Block Carbines, Colt Lightnings, Savage 1895's, 1899's, and Marlin 1893's and 1894's including the famous photo of Zapata holding a Saddle Ring 1894 Marlin.
If you're looking for a nice respectable short rifle for your Winchester collection, this one is in great shape for the price. The prices seem to get exponentially higher for ones a step or two above one like this as they're just not out there in any quantity. This is a Post 1898 Firearm that is being sold from my personal collection. As I'm not a modern dealer, this will need to be shipped from my FFL to an Federally Licensed Dealer in your state of residence.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1894
Caliber Info: 30-30
Condition: NRA Antique VG+ to Fine-
Barrel Type: Octagon