The lever has 5-10% washed out colors in the protected areas with the balance turned to a smooth brown patina. Hammer has 35% original faded case colors. The barrel and magazine have 70% original dull blue with a smooth brown patina mixing in and along the bottom of the tube. The receiver has 70% original blue showing that is thinning with balance turned to a pleasing patina. It's a nice untouched example that's all original and appears to have been used but well-cared for. Overall Condition grades to NRA Antique Fine. In fact, Winchester seems to have had quite a thriving business selling reloading tools and bullet molds for these 38-55's as they turn up quite frequently at shows. This could not be said for smokeless ammunition where measuring had to be much more precise. One of the interesting aspects of the black powder 38-55 was that it was not only powerful but easy to hand reload. 30-30 and the 25-35 WCF began to be produced. Once Winchester perfected their loading procedures in the ammunition plant, the smokeless. The 38-55 was also regarded as a formidable target round but packed a bigger punch making it more suitable as a hunting round.
The 32-40 was and still is one of the best target cartridges at 200 yards in the world. Both of these cartridges were black powder and had earned a strong reputation since the 1880's in the Winchester Model 1885 Single Shot Rifle. Shortly thereafter, the 32-40 began to appear. Historically, the 38-55 was the original cartridge used in the Model 1894 at least for about the first 500 produced. Shipped from warehouse on May 25, 1896, Order number 11400 Received in warehouse on November 15, 1895 WINCHESTER MODEL 1894 - SERIAL NUMBER 9.798
They provided us with the following information: We contacted the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY and they were able to confirm the configuration of this rifle is completely original. Of the millions produced, nice sound Model 1894's that are antique and made at the end of the 19th century are hard to come by. It has a low four digit serial number in the 9,000 range which makes it a Pre-1898 Antique under federal law. Standard 26" octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent rifle buttplate. This is a very early Model 1894 Rifle in caliber 38-55. Winchester 1894 Rifle in 38-55 with Low Serial Number, 2nd Year Production
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