Winchester Model 1895 28” .30 US 30-40 Krag Lever Action Rifle 1897 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,975.99
LSB#: LSB251002RS004
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 5933
Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: .30-40 Krag (.30 U.S.)
Action Type: Internal Box Magazine-Fed Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “30 US”. The top tang is marked -“WINCHESTER / MODEL 1895.”-. The serial number is marked across the bottom tang.
Barrel Length: 28? Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade slotted and pinned to a base that is fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notched elevator sight that is dovetailed to the rear of the barrel and adjustable for fine elevation. The rear sight has been replaced.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut that has been refinished, with a schnabel-tip forend with triangular ebony inlay that has been replaced with walnut, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. There are several nicks, scuffs, and scratches throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 1/2? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has also been polished and refinished. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and rifling is well defined. There is scattered light fouling in the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its current metal finish. There is thinning at all leading edges of the receiver and muzzle. There is some discoloration from rebluing the nickel steel, mostly towards the muzzle. There is standard operational wear. There are some scratches and pitting on the receiver that has been blued over. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition for a refininish.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is good and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1895 marked a decisive technological shift for lever-action rifles, bringing John Browning’s ingenuity into the smokeless-powder era with an internal box magazine capable of feeding modern pointed bullets. Its strong action and improved ballistics placed it among the most advanced sporting and military rifles of the 1890s, and early-production examples such as this 1897 rifle capture the model at the beginning of its ascent. The long 28-inch barrel, slender schnabel forend, and crescent buttplate reflect the classical styling Winchester maintained even as the rifle embraced new engineering principles that set it apart from earlier tube-fed designs.
Chambered in .30 U.S. (30-40 Krag), this rifle carries the service cartridge adopted by the U.S. Army in 1892—a round noted for its accuracy, mild recoil, and dependable performance with the early jacketed bullets of the era. The pairing of the Krag cartridge with the 1895 action offered sportsmen a modern, high-velocity combination during a time when American hunting rifles were rapidly transitioning away from black powder. The bright bore and sharp rifling on this example show the enduring capability of the chambering and the quality of Winchester’s nickel-steel barrels during the rifle’s formative years.
Though refinished, the rifle retains a strong, unified appearance with clear markings and a high level of remaining blue over the restored surfaces. The replaced rear sight, refinished stocks, and polished buttplate reflect a long working life and later efforts to preserve its functionality and presentation. These elements contribute to a rifle that still evokes the rugged frontier optimism of the 1890s—a period when American shooters demanded accuracy, durability, and modern ballistics from their sporting arms. Early Model 1895 rifles seldom survive with such clean bores and intact features, making this example an engaging artifact from the moment Winchester stepped firmly into the smokeless age. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF
