Winchester 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine SRC 22″ .30-06 Lever Rifle, 1925 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,034.99
LSB#: WY241114DS104.1
Make: Winchester
Model: 95 Carbine
Serial Number: 414415
Year of Manufacture: 1925
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield (.30 Gov’t ’06)
Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a Marble Sheard No. 6 brass beaded blade pinned to a slotted base at the front of the barrel. The top of the barrel has two drilled and tapped holes for the original rear sight (not present). The left of the receiver has a Redfield receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The sights are not original to the gun.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are smooth walnut with finger-grooved forend secured by a barrel band, straight wrist, straight comb, and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over the storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The forend has recesses for a handguard’s spring-clips, but no handguard is present. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a repaired crack in the right of the wrist next to the top tang and another at the rear of the top tang to the left of the comb. There is some sanding under the finish, mostly around the top of the wrist. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a moderate patina with wear at the toe and scattered erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished and repaired.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is in the rear half of the barrel, where it would have been covered with a handguard installed, there is wear from installation/removal of the handguard. There is al little bit of finish forward of the barrel band. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is scattered light oxidation with some small nicks and light scratches. The saddle ring is missing, but its mount is present. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the rifle is in Fair-Good condition (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: There is an issue with the hammer or sear engagement. When the hammer is operated manually, it takes too much force to catch the sear and there is no over-travel. The hammer is tensioned against the bolt during operation, causing excessive friction on the bolt. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a fixed box magazine (i.e., it could not be removed). This is the model Teddy Roosevelt used for hunting both here in the United States and in Africa—he referred to it as his “Big Medicine”. With quick handling characteristics, a box magazine, and spitzer—more aerodynamic, accurate—bullet capability, the Model 1895 completely changed the world of sporting rifles. This rifle pattern was utilized by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895 rifles in the lead-up to World War I. In 1898, the United States ordered 10,000 1895 rifles in musket form for use in the Spanish-American War (the war ended before they could be delivered, however). One hundred of those were issued for field testing in the Philippines and the remaining 9,900 were later sold to a private business. Many 1895 rifles were shipped to the new Cuban government in 1906 and some even found their way to Pancho Villa’s troops in Mexico.
This saddle ring carbine was made in 1925 during the inter-war years. This example, chambered in .30-06 has had its original ladder rear sight removed, but the receiver has a Redfield receiver sight installed. The saddle ring has been removed as well as the handguard over the forend. The rifle is in Fair-Good condition, retaining 35% original metal finish and a fair bore. There is a mechanical issue with the hammer or sear, causing excessive friction on the bolt when the lever is operated. This is a neat find for the Winchester collectors and would be well worth getting back into good working order. Please see our photos and good luck!
