Winchester Model 1895 24in. .30-03 Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1909 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,345.01
LSB#: WY240902TW022
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 60320
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: 30 US/ .30-03 Springfield / 7.62x65mm
Action Type: Internal Box Magazine-Fed Lever Action Rifle
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.” Also (AUG.6.07). The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1895 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK ”. The lower tang is marked “60320” and “A”. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”. The top of the barrel and the chamber ring are each marked “WP” in oval, The top of the Barrel is marked “ 30 US MOD 1903” the chamber ring is also marked “.WP”
Barrel Length: 24 Inches Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base shaped from the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn style leaf sight with an elevator.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel-tip forend, straight grip, straight comb and a crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs, compressions and scratches as well as a few notable small scores on the buttstock. There are no chips, no notable cracks. The wood is refinished and slightly shy in some cases. The LOP measures 12.75 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn white with scattered scuffs, scratches and some surface oxidation and rust toward the heel of the stock. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8 / 10. The barrel has not been relined.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish, most notably the barrel, has kept the majority of its original blue. The receiver shows wear and handling marks. There are even some vigorous cleaning marks on the receiver and barrel. Most wear is from honest use. The action shows light operational wear. There are several scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The muzzle and other leading edges have thinned their finish. There is also scattered light patina on most surfaces. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in very good condition for being over 100 years old
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: I’ve always been intrigued by the 1895 Winchester, and not just because Teddy Roosevelt fancied it. The 1895 was used extensively by hunters and lawmen of the period. The Texas Rangers and Arizona Rangers were quite partial to the 1895, particularly the short carbines in .30-40 Krag. One famous old photograph of the Arizona Rangers, taken in Morenci, Arizona, during a copper-mine riot, depicts the entire Ranger force packing 1895 Winchesters.
Fighters in the Mexican Revolution also loved the ’95, and many of Pancho Villa’s soldiers fought with carbines chambered in .30-40 Krag. Many ’95s come out of Mexico suffering from hard use but still in shootable condition.
The 1895 Winchester’s appearance has been criticized by many fans of older Winchester lever guns. In fact, G&A’s Elmer Keith poor-mouthed the 1895’s form to no end. True, the 1895 represented a complete reconception by John Browning over his own design in earlier lever actions. The reason for the 1895’s new appearance was the lack of a tube magazine underneath the barrel. Rather, the magazine was a non-detachable box under the receiver.
Though some found it ungainly, the 1895 became very popular. The heavier receiver and box magazine allowed for more powerful loads at higher pressures than Winchester’s previous lever actions. Spitzer-style bullets could be used since there was no danger of tip-to-primer contact in the box magazine. The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a non-detachable box magazine. This is the model (Not Caliber)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 30-03 Springfield, the 30-40 KRAG successor. This would have still been a fairly popular cartridge at the time and is well suited for most American hunting needs. This example has not been altered much at all from its original state. It has kept much of its deep blue finish and has a fine bore. This should make a glorious addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles and may still have more hunting seasons left in it. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. Good luck on your bid. -K.F.
