Winchester Model 1895 28″ .30-40 Krag Box Magazine Lever Rifle 1898 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1275

LSB#: 210519RS22

Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 15126

Year of Manufacture: 1898

Caliber: .30-40 Krag (.30 U.S. in 1898)

Action Type: Internal Box Magazine-Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, the top-rear is marked “30 U.S.”. The left of the receiver is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PAT. NOV. 5. 95. NOV. 12. 95. AUG. 17. 97. JAN. 25. 98.”. The top tang is marked -“WINCHESTER / MODEL 1895”-. The serial number is marked across the bottom tang.

Barrel Length: 28″ Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. Much of the bead has broken off. The rear sight is a V-notched semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel-tip forend with triangular ebony inlay, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have moderate handling wear with scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The finish is thinning in the grip areas and around the toe. The wood has discolored at most edges where it meets the metal. 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 has worn to white with scattered scraping and minor erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The lands are mostly bright, the grooves are dark gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is only in protected areas such as the bottom tang and parts concealed when the action is closed. The remainder of the surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with infrequent minor erosion. 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 Very Good condition as Antique.

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. 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. This 1895 rifle was made in 1898 and is chambered for .30-40 Krag, the US service cartridge at the time. It looks nice for a field gun of its age, with a decent bore and strong mechanics. This should make a great addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles and could even still serve as a hunting or recreational shooting rifle today. Please see our photos and good luck!