Winchester Model 1895 24″ .30-06 Box Magazine Lever Action Rifle, 1912 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1626
LSB#: 210904DJ12
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 69122
Year of Manufacture: 1912
Caliber: .30-06
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. U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”. The lower tang is marked “69122” and “B”. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “.30 U.S.MOD.1906”. The top-rear of the barrel and the left of the chamber ring each have an ovalled “WP” proof. The top of the rear sight is marked “D.W. KING / PAT.MAR.5.07.”.
Barrel Length: 24″ Nominal, 23 7/8″ Measured
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble Sheard beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top of the chamber ring is finely checkered for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a Schnabel forend, straight wrist, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The left side of the buttstock has streaks of old adhesive from something that was priorly attached. The right side also has some old adhesive. The left side of the forearm shows streaks of interrupted finish along the top edge and the right side shows rub wear at the rear and some dark discoloration at the front top edge. The checkering is sharp and there are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows a very faint patina. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The lands are semi-bright, the groves are dim with erosion. The rifling is well defined.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The barrel has been touched-up with cold blue. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches throughout. The receiver shows a light patina with some traces of blue remaining. The barrel shows some areas of light pitting under the finish. 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: 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. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we can’t find records as to how many. This 1895 was made in 1912. It is chambered in .30.06. This should make a nice addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!