Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 411596

Year of Manufacture: 1924

Caliber: .405 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Fixed Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 24"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed and screw-set to a base integral to the barrel; the bead is missing. The rear sight is a square-notch elevator sight dovetailed and screw-set to the rear of the barrel; the top of the sight has been filed down to flat-top profile. The rear sight is not original to the rifle. The chamber ring has a strip of matting for glare reduction

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece custom-checkered select walnut. The schnable-tip forend has a triangular ebony inlay. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. Under the buttplate, the rear face of the stockis stamped "12.04.03 , DEREK, T", "GOLDEN, RICHARD" and "411596". The stocks have a few light nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined but is of varying depth, more uniform in the wrist than the forend. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear around the edges, a few light nicks, and generally well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The barrel has some scattered nicks and scuffing with a patch of wear at some oxidation across the top of the barrel just in front of the forend. The receiver has some light nicks and scratches, some under and a few through the finish. There is scattered minor surface erosion, most under and some through the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear, some with soft edges. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions 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 box magazine. The box magazine allowed the use of spitzer-type bullets without the danger of ignition in a tubular magazine. The use of spitzer bullets improved ballistics and allowed for much higher velocities, especially with the use of smokeless powder. At the time of its introduction, the 1895 was considered the lever action big-game rifle, but it also saw favor with some militaries, being purchased in large numbers by the Russian Empire for WWI, given to Pancho Villa's best troops during the Mexican Revolution, and 10,000 were purchased by the US Military for use during the Spanish American War. With its quick handling characteristics, box magazine and pointed bullet capability, the Model 1895 changed the world of sporting rifles forever. Teddy Roosevelt himself favored the 1895 Winchester, considering his rifle chambered in .405 to be the “medicine gun” for lion.

This rifle was made in 1924 and is chambered for the .405 Winchester cartridge. It has been refinished and equipped with replacement deluxe stocks, so it looks great for its age. The rifle retains a decent bore and strong mechanics. Whether you're looking to add a "medicine gun" to your collection or can just appreciate a beautiful, powerful classic, this is a neat old Winchester. Please see our photos and good luck!