Winchester 1895 Takedown 24″ .30-06 Springfield Lever Action Rifle 1923 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1325
LSB#: 210424MA40
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895 Takedown
Serial Number: 408938
Year of Manufacture: 1923
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
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. CO / PATENTED NOV.5.95. NOV.12.95. AUG.17.97. JAN.25.98. AUG.23.98. AU” with the right portion of the marking partly obscured by the Lyman receiver sight. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 95 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”. The lower tang is marked “408938” and “B”. The top-left of the chamber ring and the top rear of the barrel are marked with a circled “WP” proof. The left side of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “-.30 GOV’T-’06”.
Barrel Length: 24?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a King brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble’s folding leaf sight with a “U”-notch which is fine-adjustable for elevation. The folding sight is a little bit loose when folded up. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 41 WR receiver sight installed. The sight has a folding smaller aperture and is adjustable for windage and elevation, the folding aperture does not properly snap into its upright position, swinging down freely. The left of the receiver has four drilled, tapped and filled holes for some other type of sight/optic mount.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with steel crescent buttplate, Schnabel forend tip with ebony insert, straight grip, and straight comb. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack at the right-rear of the forend across a more notable ding. There are a few minor losses at the rear edge of the buttstock. 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 scattered light erosion. The wood is notably proud to the buttplate at the heel and on the left edge, possibly indicating that the plate is not original to the stock. The stocks rate in about Good-Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The receiver’s finish appears Original. The barrel has been refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel finish is generally strong with a few nicks, most notable at the rear on the top-right, infrequent minor surface oxidation, a few spots of minor erosion under the finish, and a few other scattered minor marks. The receiver has scattered remaining finish mottled with a light patina and wear. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches on the receiver. There are some tool marks on each side of the barrel extension and the receiver at the front. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action is smooth. The trigger is crisp. 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: 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. This rifle is a takedown version which was made in 1923, chambered for the popular .30-06 Springfield cartridge. This will make for a great deer rifle which will store and transport easily. It would also make a nice addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!