Make: Winchester

Model: 1895 Takedown

Serial Number: 64902

Year of Manufacture: 1911

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield (.30 U.S. Mod. 1906)

Action Type: Takedown Lever Action Rifle with Fixed Box Magazine

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to approximately 21".

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the barrel. There is a dovetail for a rear sight, currently filled with a bead. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 21 receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The chamber ring has a strip of matting for glare reduction

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. The schnable-tip forend has a triangular ebony inlay. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (pull-through bore cleaner in compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The buttstock has some spots of discoloration. There is a patch of more notable marks on the right of the belly behind the lever. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate patina with scattered wear and surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear, most notable in the receiver and barrel extension with wear along the barrel forward of the forend. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is scattered light surface oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as customized.

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 is a takedown version which was made in 1911, chambered for the venerable .30-06 cartridge. It has had its barrel cut back to about 21", but the metal finish is original. The rifle retains a decent bore and strong mechanics. This 1895 shows honest wear given its age, and is an interesting specimen of a takedown Model 1895. Please see our photos and good luck!