Winchester Model 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine SRC .30-06 Lever Rifle, 1926 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2816
LSB#: 230307DA028
Make: Winchester
Model: 95 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 418718
Year of Manufacture: 1926
Caliber: .30-06 Gov’t
Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine
Barrel Length: Nominal 22″; 21 7/8″ measured.
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade pinned to a slotted base at the front of the barrel. The original folding ladder-style sight is not present. The left of the receiver has a Lyman No. 21 receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are three-piece smooth walnut with banded, finger-grooved forend, handguard, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have some light nicks and scratches. There are three filled holes in the belly and there are small losses to each side of the top tang at the front of the wrist. There is a tiny crack in the left-front of the wrist near the bottom. 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 surface oxidation in the face, mostly toward the heel, with strong finish in the top tang. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the finish wear is in the lever assembly, the bottom of the magazine and the top of the receiver. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. Some of the worn areas are going to a light patina. The saddle ring is missing. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, the rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It is fairly smooth, the lever locks up correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a fixed box magazine (i.e., it could not be removed). This is the model Teddy Roosevelt used for hunting both here in the United States and in Africa—he referred to it as his “Big Medicine”. With quick handling characteristics, a box magazine, and spitzer—more aerodynamic, accurate—bullet capability, the Model 1895 completely changed the world of sporting rifles. This rifle pattern was utilized by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895 rifles in the lead-up to World War I. In 1898, the United States ordered 10,000 1895 rifles in musket form for use in the Spanish-American War (the war ended before they could be delivered, however). One hundred of those were issued for field testing in the Philippines and the remaining 9,900 were later sold to a private business. Many 1895 rifles were shipped to the new Cuban government in 1906 and some even found their way to Pancho Villa’s troops in Mexico. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we are, as of this writing, unable to find records as to just how many.
This saddle ring carbine was made in 1926 during the inter-war years. This example, chambered in .30-06 Gov’t has had its original ladder rear sight removed, but the receiver has a Lyman No. 21 receiver sight. The saddle ring has been removed, but there are still good threads on the receiver should you wish to mount a new one. The rifle is in Very Good condition retaining much of its original metal finish, a strong bore and great mechanics. This is a nice find for the Winchester collectors and should make for a good shooter, too. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
