Manufactured in 1894, the first year of production. The barrel is fitted with a combination Beach front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight and is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "38-55" at the breech. The upper tang is stamped with the three-line model/trade mark information. The highly desirable three digit serial number ("944") is stamped on the underside of the receiver. The hammer, lever and buttplate are casehardened, the loading gate is niter blue, and the remaining surfaces are blued. Mounted on a nicely figured walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. The Model 1894 is arguably the most popular lever action hunting rifle of all time with over 7,000,000 units sold worldwide. Early production Model 1894s serialized below 1000 are rarely encountered, let alone in such high condition as this example.