Winchester Model 1895 28” .30 US 30-40 Krag Lever Action Rifle, 1901 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,050.00
LSB#: WY241202MH036
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 30849
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Caliber: .30-40 Krag (.30 U.S. in 1901)
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. AUG. 23. 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 blade slotted and pinned to a base that is fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notched elevator sight that is dovetailed to the rear of the barrel and adjustable for fine elevation. The rear sight has been replaced.
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. There are several nicks, scuffs, and scratches throughout. There is darkening along the edges of the wood. The imperfections have darkened with age. There are no chips or cracks. There is a cut on the right side of the wrist that has been filled and refinished. The LOP measures 12 3/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered nicks and scratches with some faint scattered erosion throughout. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished with cold blue
Bore Condition: The lands are gray, the grooves are dark. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 45% of its current metal finish. There is thinning at all leading edges of the receiver and muzzle. Much of the blue on the barrel and receiver has thinned and taken to a light grayish patina with splotchy cold blue about the receiver. There is a shallow cut across the top tang. There is standard operational wear. There are a few small patches of erosion and pinprick pitting The screw heads range from 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 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 1901 and chambered in .30-40 Krag. This would have still been a fairly popular cartridge at the time, only recently replaced as the primary rifle cartridge of the United States Army by the .30-03, and is well suited for most American hunting needs. This example shows wear consistent with use in the field over the last 125 years, but still has a fair bore and strong mechanics. This should make a nice addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles and with a little TLC may still have more hunting seasons left in it. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
