Winchester Model 1895 .303 British Box Magazine Lever Action Rifle 1915 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1025.01
LSB#: 210425RJ05
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 77658
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. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The lower tang is marked “77658” 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”.
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to approximately 27 1/4″.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece wood with a straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The forend has a triangular ebony inlay in its schnabel tip. The forend has scattered nicks, ding, scuffs and scratches, a couple of small losses along the top edge and a short crack at the left-rear edge toward the top. The buttstock shows extensive repairs, most notable in the wrist which has scattered losses around the edges of the tangs. There are some cracks at the rear edge of the stock. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered light surface oxidation and some residue from the stock’s new finish. Overall, the stocks are in about Fair-Good condition as refinished and repaired.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original, there is scattered residue from the stock’s new finish.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray. The rifling shows heavy wear, but is visible. There is moderate erosion throughout the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas such as around the sights, along the edges of the forend, and at some corners. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, scrapes, scratches and light surface oxidation. There is scattered residue from the stocks’ new finish. There are infrequent spots of light erosion. There is a groove cut in the top of the chamber ring, with another transverse groove cut on the barrel at the front edge of the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. At least one screw is a replacement, sitting proud to the left of the receiver and having notches for lock screws, but not provision in the surrounding material for lock screws. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, however this rifle should be inspected by a gunsmith due to the groove cut on the barrel at the chamber. 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 during the Great War years. It is chambered in .303 British and is in about Fair-plus condition. This would be an excellent candidate for a restoration or a custom build. Please see our photos and good luck!