Rare Winchester Model 1895 .40-72 WCF Lever Action Rifle with Cody Letter

LSB#: 120716RF07

Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 54016

Year of Manufacture: 1905

Caliber: .40-72 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle, Tubular Magazine

Markings: The barrel is marked with the Winchester Proof mark and “40-72 W.C.F.”. There is another Winchester Proof on top of the frame. 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 serial number is found on the lower tang.

Barrel Length: 26″

Sights / Optics: This rifle is mounted with a dovetail set front blade and a dovetail set real leaf and elevator sight. The elevator is retained.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are lightly finished wood. There may be an additional coat of varnish on the wood, though there is no evidence of sanding. The wood to metal fit is superb, even proud. There are scattered marks and depressions, though no splits or cracks. The wood has darkened a bit where it meets the metal. The heaviest depressions are on the left side of the stock and forearm. The LOP measures 12 3/4″. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is practically bright and the rifling is sharp and deep. There are one or two spots of very scattered erosion and some streaking, apparently from cleaning. This bore is still very sharp, definitely shootable and probably an 8.5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows edge wear and some slight marking from storage. There is a 1 1/2″ section of the barrel that has been cleaned, leaving a light patina and no finish. There is a unique instance of pitting on the right side of the frame, at the hammer screw. This is the only pitting we can find on the rifle. This rifle is definitely original, with little use and only natural age. The Screw heads are sharp, showing only a few turnings. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine – Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A Winchester Letter is included (as photographed). The letter confirms September 1906 shipping, round barrel, #4 Lyman sights and most importantly the Caliber.

Our Assessment: This is amongst the rarest of the Winchester Model 1895’s. The Winchester 1895 was originally offered in .30-40 (smokeless) and two black powder calibers, the .38-72 and the .40-72. With the two latter, Winchester was hedging its bet on smokeless powder, leaving rifles chambered for black powder still in production. The calibers later added were: 35 WCF (1903), .405 Winchester (1904), .30-03 (1905), and .30-06 (1908). Few rifles are encountered in the two early black powder calibers, making those remaining quite scarce.

On the Cartridge: The .40-72 Winchester, also known as .40-72 WCF is a center fire straight-walled rifle cartridge designed for black powder rather than smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1895 for the Winchester 1895 lever-action rifle. The original Winchester factory load consisted of a 300-grain (19 g) bullet at 1,420 ft/s (430 m/s) or a 330-grain (21 g) bullet at 1,380 ft/s (420 m/s). With the introduction of superior cartridges designed for smokeless powder, the .40-72 Winchester became obsolete and was soon dropped from production. Production of loaded cartridges by Winchester ceased in 1936.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a better 1895, especially one in .40-72 WCF. Attention Collectors, this is a very rare Winchester 1895!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R rifle can be transferred in California.

Sold For: $4,503

Rare Winchester Model 1895 .40-72 WCF Lever Action Rifle with Cody Letter
Rare Winchester Model 1895 .40-72 WCF Lever Action Rifle with Cody Letter