Winchester Model 1895 28″ 30 US .30-40 Krag Lever Action Rifle, 1899 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3221
LSB#: 230113RB003
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 20304
Year of Manufacture: 1899
Caliber: .30-40 Krag (.30 US in 1899)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Fixed Box Magazine
Markings: The barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” on the left and “30 U.S.” at the top-rear. The left side of the frame 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. 23. 98.”, the last patent date appears to have been marked separately from the previous markings. The serial number is found on the lower tang. The upper tang is marked -“WINCHESTER / MODEL 1895.”-.
Barrel Length: 28″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a white beaded blade pinned in a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight dovetailed has been filled with a Marble blank. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered fancy walnut with schnabel-tip forend, ebony forend nose insert, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The forend has a patch-repair at the top-rear corner on theright. There are open grain-line cracks in the buttstock, most notable at the front of the comb extending down and back on each side. There are a few very small losses around the front edges of the wrist. There is a repaired chip-loss at the toe, the original piece has been glued back in place. The checkering is generally well defined, some areas show wear. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a nickel appearance, somewhat common with Winchester’s case hardened parts form this era. The plate has scattered light scratches and wear with infrequent surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished and repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The lands are semi-bright, the grooves are light gray. The rifling is strong. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates an 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950’s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has finish wear on each side toward the muzzle end and a void in the finish on the top over the front of the forend. The receiver has scattered finish wear, mostly near edges and in handling areas. The worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. There are several scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some were struck fairly shallow, but are legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office records search which indicates that this rifle was received in warehouse April 4, 1899 and sent “To Russ”, received again in warehouse July 1, 1899 and shipped July 19, 1899 on order number 32236 (see Our Assessment).
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 stateside 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 rifles were offered in a number of configurations with a number of special-order features, making for a great variety available to collectors.
This rifle is a nice example, made in 1899 and having checkered fancy walnut stocks. The rifle appears to have seen some use, with some repaired damage to the stocks. The Cody Firearms Museum records search indicates that the rifle was sent to “Russ”, which strongly indicates that some non-standard features were added to the gun. This would account for the checkered fancy walnut stocks, though the records search does not specify stock configuration. Despite its age, this rifle retains the great majority of its original metal finish, a strong bore, and good mechanics. Such a great example of the 1895 will make a wonderful addition to even advanced Winchester collections and its bore condition means it still has some trips in the field left if you so choose. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
