Winchester 1895 95 Carbine Lever Action Rifle C&R Blue 22″ Box Magazine, MFD 1912 .30-40 Krag Army

SOLD FOR: $1,186.00
LSB#: 180918JR45

Make: Winchester

Model: 1895 Carbine

Serial Number: 65565

Year of Manufacture: 1912

Caliber: .30 Army (.30-40 Krag)

Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine.

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. / PATENTED NOV.5.95.NOV.12.95.AUG.17.97.JAN.25.98.AUG.23.98.AUG.6.1907.”. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1895 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The lower tang is marked “65565” and “B”. The top of the chamber ring and the top rear of the barrel are marked with a circled “WP” proof. The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.” and “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL – .30 ARMY”. The peep sight is marked “LYMAN” with patent dates and on the bottom with “SM”.

Barrel Length: 22″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade pinned in a groove formed by two raised ears fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat top leaf-and-elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch starts as a wide “V” with a small “U” notch at the bottom. It appears that the notch is or was adjustable for elevation. The top of the sight appears to have been filed flat and the notch may not be easily adjusted as it is currently blended with the top of the sight. The top tang has been drilled and tapped with a Lyman folding peep sight installed. The peep sight has a locking lever and a short base. The sight is mounted far enough forward on the tang that the bolt will strike it if it is folded up when the action is cycled. The left of the receiver has two non-factory holes drilled, tapped and filled, presumably for mounting a scope. The holes are approximately 2 5/8″ apart, we do not know the thread pitch.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with blued steel crescent buttplate, triangular ebony insert in the Schnabel forend tip, straight grip, straight comb and sling studs mounted front and rear. The forend has a few scattered light compressions and scuffs. The buttstock has a very small chip loss at the receiver on the top-left with a larger chip loss at the top-right. There are scattered light compressions and scuffs with concentrations around the sling stud and on the right of the wrist. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 12 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has thinning finish at its edges with patches of wear and surface oxidation at the toe, heel and just below the heel. There is some dried wood finish on the top tang of the plate. The plate rates in about Very Good condition. The stocks rate in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 0.5.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has some light wear at the muzzle, a patch of light surface erosion which has been scrubbed out on the left about 4″ from the muzzle, and a few scattered light marks. The recevier has several scattered very light marks with a few more notable scratches on the left. The bolt, hammer, lever and magazine show operational wear and there is a small spot of light surface oxidation on the left of the lever, concealed when the action is closed. The hammer checkering shows light wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp with a couple showing tool marks with strong slots. The markings are clear, though the holes drilled in the left of the receiver and the top tang have obscured some markings. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as refinished and modified.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action is fairly smooth. The trigger is crisp. The lever locks up 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: The installed peep sight is included.

Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever-action model to incorporate a box magazine. The box magazine allowed the use of spitzer-type bullets without the danger of ignition in a tubular magazine. The use of spitzer bullets improved ballistics and allowed for much higher velocities, especially with the use of smokeless powder. At the time of its introduction, the 1895 was considered the lever action big-game rifle, but it also saw favor with some militaries, being purchased in large numbers by the Russian Empire for WWI, given the Pancho Villas best troops during the Mexican Revolution, and 10,000 were purchased by the US Military for use during the Spanish American War. With its quick handling characteristics, box magazine and pointed bullet capability, the Model 1895 changed the world of sporting rifles forever. This rifle was made in 1912 with a 22” barrel chambered in .30 Army, better known as .30-40 Krag. Despite being more than 100 years old, it is in about Very Good condition with about 87% of its new finish remaining. The bore is still bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, appearing to have been shot little with an ME of only about 0.5. It has had what we believe to be scope mount holes drilled in the receiver and a peep sight installed on the top tang, but care should be taken to fold the sight down before operating the action as the bolt will strike the sight if left up. The barrel markings are something of a mystery as we can find no reference to “Winchester Proof Steel” marked 1895 barrels rather than nickel steel. This vintage rifle will be of interest to both collectors and shooters. It is somewhat heavy compared with a Winchester Model 94, but it allows the use of more powerful modern cartridges. Its great bore and strong mechanics would make for a fine hunting rifle for generations. Please see our photos and good luck!

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

Finish Originality: Given the quality of the barrel markings, proof stampings, and the finish match between the barrel and receiver, we believe that this rifle was returned to Winchester for re-barreling, with the new finish applied by Winchester.