Winchester Model 1895 28″ .303 British Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1915 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,750.00

WOA#: WY240418JS080

Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 94209

Year of Manufacture: 1915

Caliber: .303 British

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 “94209” and “B”. The top of the chamber ring has an ovalled “WP” proof, found again on the top-rear of the barrel. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “303 BRITISH”. The right of the barrel is import-marked “CHERRY’S GSO. NC”.

Barrel Length: 28″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, fine-adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The forend has a triangular ebony inlay in its schnabel tip. There is a sling swivel in the belly, but currently no provision for a forward sling mount. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are cracks at the front of the forend on each side of the ebony inlay. There is some thinning finish in the grip areas. The LOP measures 12 5/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear around the edges, most notable at the heel and toe, with some scattered scratches and light oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The barrel and bolt have generally strong finish. The balance is mostly in scattered wear and minor oxidation on the receiver. There are a few spots of surface erosion on the receiver. There are some light nicks and scratches. 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 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. 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 example was made in 1915 during the Great War years, just as production was ramping up from a few thousand rifles per year to more than 100,000 in 1915 and more than 200,000 in 1916. It is interesting as it is chambered in .303 British, fairly scarce for the Model 1895. Though it does not have any British proof or acceptance marks, it does have an import marking, indicating that it left the country at some point. The rifle is in Very Good condition, retaining much of its original finish, a pretty good bore and strong mechanics. This would be a neat addition to a Winchester collection or for fans of the .303 British cartridge. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud