Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 93522

Year of Manufacture: 1905

Caliber: .405 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 24"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a white beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. There is a strip of matting on the chamber ring for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with steel crescent buttplate, straight grip, straight comb, and schnabel-tip forend with triangular ebony inlay. The stocks have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are some grain-line cracks around the rear edge of the butt. The LOP measures 12 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has thinning at the edges with generally strong finish and some scattered minor marks. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is finish wear on the left of the receiver and the bottom of the magazine. There are some light nicks and scratches. There is some minor oxidation, mostly in the worn areas. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the rifle is in Very 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 1915, a few years after Teddy Roosevelt's hunting trip which created the term "Teddy Bear". Its 24" barrel is chambered for the .405 Winchester cartridge, one of the most powerful cartridges designed for use in lever-action rifles. The rifle is in Very Good condition, retaining 90% original metal finish, a strong bore and great mechanics, appearing to have seen gentle use over the last 110 years. This would be a neat addition to a Winchester collection missing the 1895 Model, especially chambered for the "Big Medicine" cartridge. Please see our photos and good luck!