Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 5069

Year of Manufacture: 1897

Caliber: .30-40 Krag

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Internal Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 28", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade pinned in a slotted base. The rear sight is a V-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with ebony-tip schnabel forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have a few light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The wood is slightly shy to the metal at the tangs and buttplate. 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 a little discoloration and residue from the stock's new finish. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable finish wear is on exposed portions of the lever and handling wear in the top tang. There is some other scattered more minor wear. Some worn areas are going to a light patina. There is infrequent faint oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks and small scratches. 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 Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter indicating its serial was applied November 27, received in warehouse December 3, and shipped December 6, 1897 on order 24536. The records also note "New System".

Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a 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 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.

This 1895 rifle is of particular interest to collectors as it was made in 1897 with a note in the factory records "New System". It was produced just as the receiver profile was changed from a flat-side to the later recessed sides used for the remainder of production. It is believed that only about 200 were noted in the ledges this way during the transition and we were not able to find another example with a lower serial number. The rifle is chambered for .30-40 Krag, the US service cartridge at the time. It looks nice for a field gun of its age, with refinished stocks, a fair bore and strong mechanics. This should make a great addition to a collection of Winchester lever-action rifles and could even still serve as a hunting or recreational shooting rifle today. Please see our photos and good luck!