Winchester Model 1895 .38-72 WCF 26″ Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1899 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1625
LSB#: 210416DS15
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895
Serial Number: 20676
Year of Manufacture: 1899
Caliber: .38-72 WCF
Action Type: Internal Box Magazine-Fed Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-” in front of the rear sight and “38-72 W C.F.” at the rear. 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: 26″ Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble Sheard brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a U-notched 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 some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few tiny losses at the front edges of the wrist. There are no cracks. 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 some scattered scratches, light surface oxidation and some solid erosion at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with infrequent light pitting.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is in the receiver flats, the top of the bolt, and the portions of the magazine and lever which are concealed with the action closed. There is some finish in other protected areas such as around the sights and along the edges of the stocks. Most other surfaces have gone to a light patina. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. Most edges are worn to white. 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 Good-plus 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. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we can’t find records as to how many. This 1895 made in 1899 and is chambered for .38-72 WCF. While a potent cartridge, able to fire a 275 grain projectile at nearly 1,500 fps, it was developed as a black powder cartridge at the outset of the smokeless era. The cartridge was swiftly replaced by faster and more powerful smokeless cartridges. This example shows wear consistent with use in the field over the last 120 years and is in great mechanical shape. This should make a nice addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!