Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 43078

Year of Manufacture: 1904

Caliber: .35 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 24"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester Express three-leaf "V"-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang has been drilled and tapped for a tang sight (not present), the screws installed in the holes appear to be mounting screws for a tang sight, not fill-screws (or the original stock mounting screw).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are smooth walnut with schnabel forend with ebony inlay, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings and bruises. There is some discoloration around the edges where they meet metal. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered nicks, scratches and spots of oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Finish is mostly in protected areas and around raised features. Most surfaces have worn to white. There is some scattered surface oxidation and faint surface erosion. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, the top tang marking is interrupted by the tang-sight screw hole. Overall, the rifle is in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions 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.

This example was made in 1903 right at the turn of the century. Its 24" barrel is chambered for the .35 Winchester cartridge, a medium-bore round that can push a 250 grain bullet past 2,000 fps. The rifle is in Good condition, retaining 10% original metal finish, a fair bore and good mechanics, appearing to have seen its fair share of use over the last 120 years. This would be a neat addition to a Winchester collection missing the 1895 Model. Please see our photos and good luck!