winchester model 1894 src dominion of canada proof

• I built this rifle a number of years ago, it started life as a Ruger No. 1 in 7mm magnum, I will attempt to list all the work that was done to this rifle as much my old brain will allow.  I wanted this rifle to reflect a Celtic theme.  The Gaelic on the bottom of the receiver translates into "For My Father".

• Green Mountain Barrel shaped round to rapid taper Octagon
• Chambered for 7x57 with high polish crowned muzzle
• Barrel was rust blued to a satin finish
• Shaved receiver
• Hand fitted quarter rib will accept Ruger scope mounts
• Custom built shell holder in butt stock
• Trapdoor butt plate
• Presentation grade XXX Walnut
• ebony forend tip
• Stag themed wrap around checkering
• Screws Nitre Blued 
• Sling swivels mounts inset
• Engraving by Brian Frank
• Stock work Chris Dawe
• Colour Case Oskar Kob

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I'm moving out of Marlins for the most part, so I am listing a few of my collector grade rifles.  This is a nice example of a rare Marlin Model 1893 Lever Action Rifle manufactured in 1907. Special order features include a beautiful half octagon to round barrel as well as factory sling swivels, most half octagon to round barrels had shortened magazine tubes, this one obviously has a rarer, full magazine, for this configuration.  This rifle is chambered in the highly desirable 38-55 Caliber. Most examples are  chambered in .30-30. It also has the earlier "Model 1893" designation. Later they changed it to "Mod 93". This particular example  is in extraordinarily high condition.  The barrel has retained most of its original dark rich bluing, a solid 95 % on the barrel and magazine. Just a hint of spotty patina here and there, mostly near the muzzle. There are areas that have hardened oil that appears brownish in the pictures, I have not cleaned this off as I believe it is in keeping with the rifle, however this is easily cleaned off.  The receiver has virtually all of its original vibrant case-hardening, except for a little loss around the carry area, a solid 90 % case colours.  The stock is very nice with minor storage marks, the butt stock sports the S shape butt plate. The bore has strong, sharp, rifling throughout with some minor black powder roughness.  From the wear on the loading gate and the slight loss of colour in the carry area you can tell this rifle was obviously hunted in its day but not very often, as well it must have been put away in a dark place, early in its life, as that would be the only way to keep the original case colours from fading. 

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The Marlin 1894 was originally patented on August 1, 1893 by L.L. Hepburn.  With this design, Marlin simplified and strengthened the internal lever-action mechanism while continuing the practice of using a flat solid steel top receiver with side ejection.  With the Model 1894, Marlin removed the rear-locking lug, which extended down into the trigger guard and had a tendency to pinch the shooter’s fingers during rapid-fire cycling.  Other design improvements over the Model 1889 included a one-piece trigger and a two-piece firing pin to prevent the rifle from firing unless the finger lever was fully closed or if the locking lug were missing.  Additionally, the finger lever lock of the Model 1889 was eliminated on the Model 1894 and replaced by a latch built into the lever itself.  This model was chambered in the same calibers with the addition of the 25-20 and later 218 bee.

The Model 1894 and its successors found particular favour in Canada, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest, where precipitation combined with cold temperatures sometimes caused top-eject designs to freeze solid.  During the Klondike Gold Rush, the solid-top Marlin design was preferred by many prospectors facing subzero temperatures and dangerous animals, since the solid top frame was better at keeping freezing rain, snow and dirt out of the operating parts of the action.

This is a 20 inch factory short barrelled rifle in 44-40, he double stamp for the caliber is very unusual and reportedly has not been seen before according to the Marlin Collectors records, the forearm wood is standard length.  Short rifles are scarce as the standard barrel length was 24 inches.  Most people that wanted a shorter barrel would go to a carbine which had a 20 inch barrel standard, why spend money on a special order 20 inch barrel when you could buy a standard rifle with a 20 barrel in a carbine.  We cannot say how many short barrel rifles were made as the records end in December of 1906, and there was another 10 years of production after that before the Marlin family sold the company.  The new company continued producing sporting arms to 1921, when yet another company took over, producing sporting arms using left over parts.  That continued to 1924, when the company went broke and sold to yet another company.  So, you can see, there is a problem trying to determine how many would have been produced.  By far, the 20 inch short rifles are more scarce than either the 24, 26 and maybe even the 28 inch barrelled versions.  The receiver shows mottled grey from fading case colours and there is case colours still present in the protected areas.  Wood is good and solid, bore is mint (bright shiny, with strong rifling), barrel and mag tube blue is a solid 80%.  Mechanically it is perfect and a great shooter.

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In order to prioritize issue of the standard infantry rifle—the Model 1886 Lebel—to frontline troops, France turned to obsolete Gras Model 1874 rifles for service and support soldiers. Almost immediately, the French embarked on a program to convert blackpowder Gras rifles to the smokeless 8 mm Lebel cartridge. The conversion proved difficult, and progress was slow. Unable to produce enough standard-issue Lebel rifles or convert enough Gras rifles, France contracted with Winchester and Remington to arm rear-echelon soldiers. Remington was contracted for a modified version of its Rolling Block rifle, while Winchester received a contract for 15,100 Model 1894 carbines, although there is some argument that the order filled was in the amount of 2000 not 15,100 .

The contract required the addition of metric graduations to Winchester’s No.44A rear sight and the addition of sling swivels on the left side of the butt stock and barrel band. The sling swivels were specifically required so that the carbine could be carried en bandoulière (the French term for carrying a carbine across the back). These added features were unique to the French contract. The carbines were issued to motorcycle couriers, artillery troops and transport units. Model 1894s also found their way to balloon units, and some may have been used by airmen in their aircraft.

After the war, the French Winchester Model 1894s were sold by the French government to unknown buyers. Some bear Belgian proof marks, as they were transferred through Belgium. The Belgian proofs have led many to incorrectly assume that those guns were purchased by the Belgian Congo.​

This particular example is missing the rear meter sight and has the standard folding leaf sight.  The metal finish shows evidence of an older refinish, the wood is in very good condition with normal wear expected from a military use firearm.  The rifle is in very good shootable condition with a strong bore with defined rifling.  An overall fair example of a very scarce Winchester.  

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Chambered in 35 WCF, this rifle sports a mint bright shiny bore.  The wood is solid with only a small chip out of the wrist, finish on the barrel is 90% plus, finish on the receiver is 40-50 %.  Mechanically is functions as it should.  Barrel ring being knurled on top for glare is an interesting feature not normally encountered on standard rifles.  Overall, a very nice example of an 1895, rifle.  

oldguns.ca, virtual museum collection.