Winchester Model 1895 24” .35 Win Box Magazine Lever Action Rifle, 1903 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,300.00
LSB#: LSB260418WS003
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 42028
Year of Manufacture: 1903 / C&R
Caliber: .35 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to base, fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a Schnabel forend with ebony inlay, straight wrist, straight comb and a crescent steel buttplate. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scratches, compression dents and handling wear throughout. There are a few small gouges. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat dull with defined rifling. There is light to mild erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows standard operational and handling wear. The finish is quite strong throughout with thinning on the leading edges and scattered areas of thinning ont he barrel and receiver. There is light intermittent oxidation. There are scattered light scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions 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: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Museum WInchester Factory Letter which confirms a receiver and shipped from warehouse date of 1903 in .35 caliber.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1895 was John Browning’s final lever action design for Winchester and represented a major step forward from the company’s earlier tubular-magazine rifles. Its fixed internal box magazine allowed the use of more modern pointed and high-pressure smokeless cartridges, making the 1895 well suited for sporting, military, and big-game applications. This example was manufactured in 1903 and is chambered in .35 Winchester, a powerful early smokeless sporting cartridge that gave the Model 1895 strong appeal as a hunting rifle. With its 24” barrel, internal box magazine, straight-grip walnut stocks, Schnabel forend with ebony inlay, and crescent steel buttplate, this rifle retains the classic profile of an early 20th-century Winchester sporting lever action.
This rifle is in Very Good overall condition, retaining about 80% of its original blued finish with standard operational and handling wear, thinning at the leading edges, scattered thinning on the barrel and receiver, light intermittent oxidation, and scattered light scratches. The smooth walnut stocks show scratches, compression dents, handling wear, and a few small gouges, but remain solid and rate in Very Good condition. The bore is somewhat dull with defined rifling and light to mild erosion, rating 5.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, and while we have not fired this rifle, it remains a desirable early Winchester 1895 in a classic sporting chambering with strong appeal for Winchester collectors, Browning-design enthusiasts, and those who appreciate turn-of-the-century big-game rifles. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – L.S.