Winchester 1895 Lee Navy Sporter .236 Straight-Pull Bolt Rifle 1898 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1075
LSB#: 210930TP85
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 1895 Lee Sporter
Serial Number: 10643
Year of Manufacture: 1898
Caliber: 6mm Lee Navy (.236 USN)
Action Type: Straight Pull Bolt Action, Fixed Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “-MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.- / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PAT. OCT.10.93. JAN.30.94. OCT.8.95.”. The top of the receiver is marked “No 10643“. The top of the barrel at the rear is marked “.236 U.S.N.” and in front of the rear sight with “MANUFACTURED BY THE / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-“.
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with schnabel forend tip, finger grooves on the sides of the forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and smooth steel shotgun-style buttplate. There are scattered nicks, dings, scratches and scuffing. There are some areas of thinning finish. There is a long crack in the top of the wrist and a shorter crack at the rear of the trigger guard extending back into the left of the wrist. The wood is a little bit shy to the buttplate at the toe, though it is not clear if this is due to shrinkage from age or from refinishing. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a light-moderate patina with edges worn to white and scattered light wear. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: This rifle has Metford or polygonal rifling. The deeper portions of the bore, what would be “grooves” on standard rifling are dark with moderate erosion. The raised portions, what would be “lands” in standard rifling are gray with light erosion. The rifling is well defined.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. Most of the barrel has worn to white or gone to a light patina with some finish in protected areas such as around the sights and along the edges of the forend. Strongest finish is in the sides of the receiver and trigger guard/magazine assembly, though these show some areas gone to a light patina. The top of the bolt and the arm of the bolt handle retain strong finish with the handle showing handling wear. The action shows operational wear. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Model 1895 Lee Sporter was made back in 1898 by Winchester Repeating Arms. A total of about 20,000 1895 Lee rifles were produced, but most were produced for the Navy and most commercial sales were of the same pattern as the Navy rifle, in fact, some were Navy production rifles which had been rejected by Navy inspectors. There were comparatively few Sporter pattern rifles made, about 1,700. This example is a nice specimen of a particularly scarce Winchester rifle. It has strong mechanics and a fair bore. A serious Winchester collection wouldn’t be complete without an 1895 Lee, and this Sporter model will make a great addition. Please see our photos and good luck!