Winchester Model 1895 Carbine .30-40 Krag 30 Army Lever Rifle, MFD 1925 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2235
LSB#: 220419JR019
Make: Winchester
Model: 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: 414161
Year of Manufacture: 1925
Caliber: .30-40 Krag (.30 Army)
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 95 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”. The lower tang is marked “414161” and “B”. The bottom of the lever is marked “D”. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “-.30 ARMY”. The top of the barrel and the chamber ring are each marked “WP” in oval, the chamber ring is also marked “.30 / ARMY”.
Barrel Length: Nominal 22″, 21 7/8″ measured.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble Sheard beaded blade pinned to a slotted base integral to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Type 2 sliding elevator/ladder sight. When the ladder is folded down, the slider is used to control the elevation using the marks on the left side of the base “1 3 5 7 8 9 10”. The rear face of the slider is marked from “10” to “18”, alternating sides. There is a “V” notch on the rear face of the slider for use when the ladder is folded down and another on the top edge of the slider for use when the ladder is raised.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are three piece smooth walnut with barrel band, finger-grooved forend, handguard held in place around the rear sight via spring clips at the front and rear, straight grip, straight comb, and carbine-style buttplate with sliding trapdoor. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches including wear on the front of the forend from removal and installation of the band. The wrist has a couple of very small losses at the edges of the tangs. The wood has darkened with age and oil. The LOP measures 12 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has generally strong finish with light wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some very light erosion scattered through the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 2.0.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with light operational wear, some scattered light marks, thinning at some edges, and some very faint surface erosion on the receiver flats. There is a ring of light wear around the saddle ring. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear and crisp. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good-plus 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 saddle ring carbine was made in 1925 during the inter-war years. It is chambered in .30-40 Krag and is in about Very Good-plus condition with about 90% of its original finish remaining. It looks like it was well maintained by responsible sportsmen over the last 95 years with the dark wood and well maintained finish likely indicating frequent application of oil for preservation. The bore is semi bright with some light erosion and our bore gauge measures a ME of about 2.0. This should make a great addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!