Winchester 1895 Takedown 24″ .30-06 Gov’t Box Magazine Lever Rifle 1923 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,706.00
LSB#: WY250129FH010.1
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 408302
Year of Manufacture: 1923
Caliber: .30-06 (.30 Gov’t ’06)
Action Type: Takedown Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight dovetail is currently filled with a blank. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 21 receiver sight installed. The chamber ring is matted for glare reduction, the Winchester proof is offset for this matting.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel-tip forend, ebony inlay, straight grip, straight comb and smooth steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are are a few more notable dings. Some marks have been finished over. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered minor surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and very minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is finish wear on the receiver and barrel extension. There is some other scattered more minor finish wear. The worn areas are going to a light patina and there is infrequent minor surface erosion. There are some light nicks, scuffs 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 Good-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: None.
Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever-action model to incorporate a box magazine. The box magazine allowed the use of spitzer-type bullets without the danger of ignition in a tubular magazine. The use of spitzer bullets improved ballistics and allowed for much higher velocities, especially with the use of smokeless powder. At the time of its introduction, the 1895 was considered the lever action big-game rifle, but it also saw favor with some militaries, being purchased in large numbers by the Russian Empire for WWI, given to Pancho Villa’s best troops during the Mexican Revolution, and 10,000 were purchased by the US Military for use during the Spanish American War. With its quick handling characteristics, box magazine and pointed bullet capability, the Model 1895 changed the world of sporting rifles forever. Teddy Roosevelt himself favored the 1895 Winchester, considering his rifle chambered in .405 to be the “medicine gun” for lion.
This rifle is a takedown version which was made in 1923, chambered for the venerable .30-06 cartridge. Its walnut stocks have been refinished, but the metal finish is original. The rifle retains a fair bore and strong mechanics. This 1895 shows honest wear, and is a neat specimen of a takedown Model 1895. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
