Winchester Model 1895 26″ Octagonal .38-72 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1899 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2745

LSB#: 220917DC004

Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 23401

Year of Manufacture: 1899

Caliber: .38-72 WCF

Action Type: Internal Box Magazine-Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.” in front of the rear sight and “38-72 W C.F.” at the rear. The left of the receiver is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PAT. NOV. 5. 95. NOV. 12. 95. AUG. 17. 97. JAN. 25. 98. / AUG. 22. 98”. The top tang is marked -“WINCHESTER / MODEL 1895”-. The serial number is marked across the bottom tang. The left of the lever has an illegible inspection stamp.

Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Beech-style folding sight dovetailed to the front of the barrel. It presents either a white-beaded post or a hooded beaded post. The rear sight is a two-leaf folding sight. The rear leaf has a white triangle aiming reference with no notch. The other leaf has a deep, wide “V”-notch. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. A Lyman receiver sight is installed on the left of the receiver, adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel-tip forend with triangular ebony inlay, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. A sling stud has been installed in the belly. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are cracks at the rear of the top tang and the front-right corner of the buttplate’s top tang. There is a small surface loss at the sling stud. The forend has a slight gap to the receiver and the toe is shy to the buttplate. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear and some minor erosion at the toe with more notable erosion at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with infrequent light pitting.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is in scattered finish wear on the receiver and lever. The barrel retains generally strong finish with a notable ding on the left between the rear sight and receiver. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches and spots of light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is good and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a non-detachable box magazine. This is the model Teddy Roosevelt called his “Big Medicine” that he used in hunting here and in Africa. With its quick handling characteristics, box magazine and spitzer bullet capability, the Model 1895 changed the world of sporting rifles forever. The 1895 was used by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895’s to supplement their own arms production during World War I. In 1898, the United States ordered 10,000 of the rifles in musket form with handguard for use in the Spanish-American War, but the war ended before they could be delivered. One hundred were issued for field testing in the Philippines and the remaining 9,900 were sold to M. Harley Company. Many of these were shipped to the new Cuban government in 1906 and some found their way to Pancho Villa’s troops in Mexico. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we can’t find records as to how many.

This 1895 made in 1899 and is chambered for .38-72 WCF. While a potent cartridge, able to fire a 275 grain projectile at nearly 1,500 fps, it was developed as a black powder cartridge at the outset of the smokeless era. The cartridge was swiftly replaced by faster and more powerful smokeless cartridges. This example shows wear consistent with use in the field over the last 120 years and is in great mechanical shape with a nice assortment of vintage sights. This should make a nice addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!

Winchester Model 1895 26" Octagonal .38-72 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1899 C&R
Winchester Model 1895 26″ Octagonal .38-72 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1899 C&R