Winchester Model 1895 20″ .405 Win Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1909 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,275
LSB#: 240402GN022
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 66475
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: .405 W.C.F.
Action Type: Internal Box Magazine-Fed Lever Action Rifle
Barrel Length: The round barrel has been cut to 20″.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman plastic beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed at the front of the barrel. There is an empty dovetail for a rear sight (none present). The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman Model 21 receiver sight installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel-tip forend with triangular ebony inlay, straight grip, straight comb and a crescent steel buttplate. There is a split at the front of the forearm on the left. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs, compressions and scratches as well as a few notable small gashes on the buttstock. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn white with scattered light erosion, scuffs, and scratches. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion with minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The finish has much been lost, most notably on the barrel from abrasive cleaning over pitting and also the right side of the receiver. The action shows light operational wear. There are several scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is also scattered light erosion on most surfaces. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is good and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire 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 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.
This 1895 was made in 1909 and chambered in .405 WCF. This would have still been a fairly popular cartridge at the time and is well suited for most American hunting needs. This example has been customized with the barrel cut back to 20″, a new front sight and a Lyman receiver sight installed. This should make a neat addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles and may still have more hunting seasons left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
