Engraved 2nd Gen. High Grade Browning Model 1895, Blue, Stainless & Gold 24” Lever Action Rifle & Factory Box, MFD 1984
LSB#: 151008JM13
Make: Miroku in Japan, for Browning
Model: 1895, Generation II, High Grade
Serial Number: 00581PV687
Year of Manufacture: 1984 (http://www.leverguns.com/articles/model_1895.htm)
Caliber: .30-40 Krag
Action Type: Lever Action, Internal Fixed Box Magazine Fed Rifle.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN / NP”, the right side is marked “BROWNING 1895 / CALIBER .30-40”. The left side of the receiver has detailed engravings of a buck jumping in a field with trees and a mountain; this scene is framed by swirling engraved floral patterns. The right side of the frame is marked “1895 Browning / One of One Thousand / 00581PV687” with a large feline predator running through rocks and trees framed with more floral engraving.
Barrel Length: 24”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade, pinned fore to aft into a base that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a leaf and elevator buckhorn sight on a base that is dovetailed onto the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The forend is checkered on the bottom and flanks with a Shnabel tip; the forend has compressed checkers on all sides with scuffs and scratches on portions of the smooth wood. There are a few examples of moderately invasive compressions. The buttstock has a strait grip and checkering on the flanks of the wrist; there are shallow to light scuff and scratch marks on the smooth surfaces and areas of flattened and compressed checkers as photographed. The wood, at the top of the butt plate is slightly curved upwards. The LOP measures 13-3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the shotgun style metal butt plate. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Polished blue barrel, bolt and hammer, stainless steel frame and lever, gold plated accents and trigger.
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharply defined with light wear; our bore gauge gave a M.E. of +1.0. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some wear marks on portions of metal components that interact during operation, most notable on the magazine body and flanks of the hammer. The top of the bolt has light scratches and scuffs as photographed. There are small compression marks in the serrations atop the receiver and a bruise on the bottom of the trigger guard. The butt plate has the beginnings of a brown patina in patches. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle looks to have been shot infrequently and was taken care of in the interim. This model is a second generation Model 1895 which was produced by Miroku in Japan. Third generation models had rebounding hammers and a cross bolt safety. 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: Included is the rifle’s original factory box with matching serial end label and barrel length. The box’s exterior has scuffs and losses from storage with black electric tape and bent corners; please see our photographs. The inside of the box has a two piece foam liner that has compression marks and small losses. The box and foam inserts rate in about Very Good to Fine condition. Also included is a Model 1895 owner’s manual and some bubble wrap sheets; all rating in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: From Wikipedia: “The Model 1895 was the first Winchester rifle to feature a box magazine located underneath the action instead of the tubular magazine design, which had remained fundamentally unchanged from the Winchester 1866. This allowed the rifle to safely chamber military and hunting cartridges with spitzer (pointed) bullets. The M1895 was also the last of the lever-action rifles to be designed by John Browning, and featured a rear locking bolt as in his previous designs dating back to the Winchester 1886. The M1895 is the strongest lever-action rifle Winchester has produced, designed to handle the increased pressures generated by the more powerful smokeless powder cartridges entering common use at the time of its introduction. By today’s standards however, the design is considered relatively weak, and not suited to high pressure loads.[1]” This rifle is chambered in .30-40 Krag (or .30 U.S. / Army) which is still produced and relatively inexpensive. This rifle looks to have been shot a few times and displays wear marks consistent with use. Portions of the wood stocks have flattened checkers and compression marks. The metal has about 97% of its finish remaining and has gorgeous engraved scenes on both sides of the receiver, some portions with gold plating. This rifle comes with its original factory box and would make a great gift this holiday season. Only 1,000 of these 2nd generation rifles were produced in .30-40 Krag making it a collector’s piece. Please see our photographs and good luck bidding!
