Winchester Model 1895 24” .30-06 Springfield Box Mag Lever Rifle, 1915 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,281.00
LSB#: WY250311NK015
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 91942
Year of Manufacture: 1927
Caliber: .30-06 (.30 Gov’t ’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. / 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 95 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”. The lower tang is marked “91942” and “B”. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “-.30 GOV’T.1906”. The top of the barrel and the chamber ring are each marked “WP” in oval.
Barrel Length: 24” Nominal, 23 7/8? Measured
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a Schnabel forend with ebony tip, straight wrist, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered discoloration from oxidation, light wear, and some erosion at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is intermittently dark with defined rifling. There is erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong on the barrel. The receiver has thinning throughout which has introduced a mottled patina with scattered discoloration from oxidation. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about 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. This rifle was used by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895’s just before 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 rifle was made in 1915 after the outset of WWI. It is chambered for .30-06 and is in about Good condition with about 65% of its new finish remaining. It has a shootable bore considering its age and that this rifle clearly saw some use in the field, and it retains strong mechanics. This should make a great addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
