Winchester Model 1895 Saddle Ring Carbine SRC .30-06 Lever Rifle, 1921 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,616.16
WOA#: WY240627TS012
Make: Winchester
Model: 95 Saddle Ring Carbine (the ring is missing)
Serial Number: 401031
Year of Manufacture: 1921
Caliber: .30-06 Gov’t
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. & FGN.”. The lower tang is marked “401031” and “B”. The left of the barrel is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” and “- 30 GOV’T’06”, the top-rear has an ovalled “WP” proof. The chamber ring is marked “.30 / GOV. / ’06.” and with an ovalled “WP” proof.
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a metal blade pinned to a slotted base at the front of the barrel, the blade is not original to the gun. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a “U”-notch when folded down and with a “U”-notched slider.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are three-piece smooth walnut with banded, finger-grooved forend, handguard, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). Sling studs have been installed front and rear. The stocks have a few small nicks and minor scratches. There is a thin crack at the nose of the forend on the left. There is some pooled finish on the left of the forend and handguard toward the rear. There is minor cracking at the front sling stud and a tiny loss at the rear stud. The LOP measures 12 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has evidence of polishing under its generally strong finish with some minor surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 or 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The barrel’s finish has a slight plum hue. The saddle ring is missing from the left of the receiver, but the threads are intact. There is infrequent very minor erosion under the finish, mostly on the lever-loop. The bottom tang shows slightly more notable polishing under the finish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, the rifle is in Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It is fairly smooth, the lever locks up correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a fixed box magazine (i.e., it could not be removed). This is the model Teddy Roosevelt used for hunting both here in the United States and in Africa—he referred to it as his “Big Medicine”. With quick handling characteristics, a box magazine, and spitzer—more aerodynamic, accurate—bullet capability, the Model 1895 completely changed the world of sporting rifles. This rifle pattern was utilized by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895 rifles in the lead-up to World War I. In 1898, the United States ordered 10,000 1895 rifles in musket form for use in the Spanish-American War (the war ended before they could be delivered, however). One hundred of those were issued for field testing in the Philippines and the remaining 9,900 were later sold to a private business. Many 1895 rifles were shipped to the new Cuban government in 1906 and some even found their way to Pancho Villa’s troops in Mexico. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we are, as of this writing, unable to find records as to just how many.
This saddle ring carbine was made in 1921 during the inter-war years. This example, chambered in .30-06 Gov’t has had its saddle ring removed, but there are still good threads on the receiver should you wish to mount a new one. The rifle is in Very Good condition as refinished, looking great for its age. The bore shows erosion and pitting, but the mechanics are still quite good. This will make a neat display in a Winchester collection and would be worth re-boring to get it back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
