Winchester Model 1895 24″ .35 WCF Box Magazine Lever Action Rifle, 1915 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1158
LSB#: 210425RJ06
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 84493
Year of Manufacture: 1915
Caliber: .35 Winchester
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 “84493” and “b”. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “35 W.C.F.”.
Barrel Length: 24″ Nominal, 23 7/8″ Measured
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The top of the chamber ring is matted for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a Schnabel forend with ebony tip, straight wrist, straight comb, checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate and sling swivels front and rear. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The buttstock has scattered dark discoloration with some black residue on the left side. There are small losses at the top-front of the wrist to each side of the top tang. There are cracks at the toe on each side. The stock mounting screw is not original, sitting shy to the top tang’s socket and with exposed threads protruding from the bottom tang. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light patina with some scattered light erosion and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light-moderate erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most remaining finish is in the barrel and magazine tube. The barrel has scattered light finish wear, mostly in front of the forend, and scattered light surface erosion. The receiver has mostly gone to a light patina with scattered light erosion and a few nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action is fairly smooth and 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: This rifle comes with a brown leather sling. The sling shows scattered wear and discoloration with verdigris at the brass hooks, in about Good-plus condition.
Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a non-detachable box magazine. This is the model Teddy Roosevelt called his “Big Medicine” that he used in hunting here and in Africa. With its quick handling characteristics, box magazine and spitzer bullet capability, the Model 1895 changed the world of sporting rifles forever. The 1895 was used by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895’s to supplement their own arms production during World War I. In 1898, the United States ordered 10,000 of the rifles in musket form with handguard for use in the Spanish-American War, but the war ended before they could be delivered. One hundred were issued for field testing in the Philippines and the remaining 9,900 were sold to M. Harley Company. Many of these were shipped to the new Cuban government in 1906 and some found their way to Pancho Villa’s troops in Mexico. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we can’t find records as to how many. This 1895 made in 1915 after the outbreak of the Great War. It is chambered in .35 Winchester, which is suitable for some of the larger North American big game at shorter distances. This example shows wear consistent with use in the field over the last 100 years and is in great mechanical shape. This should make a nice addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!