Browning Model 1895 Like Winchester 24″ 30-06 Springfield Lever Rifle, 1984
SOLD FOR: $1025
LSB#: 210202MS25
Make: This rifle was made by Miroku of Japan for Browning
Model: 1895 Grade I
Serial Number: 04171PW187
Year of Manufacture: 1984 (PW date code)
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”, the right is marked “BROWNING 1895 / CALIBER .30-06” and the left rear has an “NP” proof at the chamber. The right of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned into a base fixed to the top of the barrel. The front sight is cut for a bead which is missing. The rear sight is a “U”-notched buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed into the top of the barrel. The notch has a white diamond aiming reference, is fine adjustable for elevation in the base and can be reversed to present a “V”-notch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with schnabel forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The wood is slightly shy to the buttplate at the heel and toe. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has thinning around the edges, light wear in the face with infrequent minor surface oxidation and some light erosion under the finish. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The action shows faint operational wear and there are a few scattered minor marks. The receiver has some scattered minor erosion under the finish with more notable erosion under the finish on the top tang. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the trigger pull is crisp. 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: None.
Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first model to incorporate a non-detachable box magazine. Teddy Roosevelt called this model, chambered in .405 WCF, his “Medicine Gun for Lions” (from his book “African Game Trails”). The M1895 rifle became the preference of major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895’s for use in the Great War. The Model 1895 was designed for the new generation of cartridges utilizing smokeless powder and pointed bullets, and many of its original chamberings remain popular today. With its quick handling characteristics, box magazine and pointed bullet capability, the Model 1895 changed the world of sporting rifles forever. In 1984, Browning had Miroku of Japan make a limited run of M1895 rifles patterned after the original Winchesters. The rifles were chambered in either .30-40 Krag or .30-06 Springfield, and were made in Grade 1 with a bright blued finish and with select walnut. This .30-06 Springfield rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished. The new finish is well done, with well preserved markings and faint handling wear in the wood and metal. The bore has some scattered light erosion but retains strong rifling. It should still make for a great shooter which combines the venerable .30-06 cartridge with the distinctly American lever-action. Please see our photos and good luck!