Per a list supplied by WACA Historian Bert Hartman, this carbine's serial number is one of 259 Winchester Model 1894 carbines known to be "Spruce Guns". Similar to the coastal defense Winchesters of World War II, the Spruce Guns were purchased for second-line work, in particular for use by the Spruce Production Division of the Aviation Section of the Army Signal Corps, whose mission was to harvest the massive quantity of spruce wood needed to support the expansion of American military aviation. Staffed with a mix of military and civilians, twelve of the "Spruce Squadrons" acted as an armed security presence, armed with a mix of Winchesters such as this and U.S. Krag rifles. This example was manufactured in 1917 and has standard markings including Winchester factory oval proofs on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The top of the receiver ring on either side of the factory proof is marked "US" and with an ordnance department "flaming bomb". It is fitted with a pinned German silver blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate.

Very good, retains 20% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and a moderate scuff/flat spot at the edge of the muzzle. The wood is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches throughout. Mechanically excellent.