Manufactured in 1894, this is a fine example of a first year production Winchester Model 1894 saddle ring carbine in .38-55 W.C.F. The first model receiver has the standard "10 o'clock" screw near the loading gate. These early Model 1894 carbines often saw hard use on the American Frontier and remain desirable in almost any condition, making examples like this one even more scarce. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two line address on top, caliber marking at the breech, and two small unknown proofs on the left at the breech, one a three-leaf clover-like symbol and the other a circled "A". The upper tang is marked with the three-line model, trademark, and patent date, while the early, four-digit serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, a saddle ring on the left of the receiver, and a pair of non-factory sling swivels installed on the rear barrel band and the bottom of the buttstock. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. The included copy of the factory letter states the carbine's serial number was applied on December 17, 1894 and the carbine was received in the warehouse on February 1, 1895 and shipped on February 12, 1895 in .38-55 caliber.

Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish, 60% of the vibrant original case colors, and 30% of the bright original niter blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some speckling of light surface pitting concentrated mostly on the sides of the receiver. The refinished wood is very good with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.