Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 55911

Year of Manufacture: 1906

Caliber: .38-72 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white-beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with steel crescent buttplate, Schnabel forend tip with ebony insert, straight grip, and straight comb. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a few more notable dings. 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 worn to white with infrequent minor surface oxidation. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is evenly scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The balance is mostly in scattered wear in the receiver. Most worn areas are going to a light patina. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some minor oxidation and infrequent minor erosion, mostly in the worn areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

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: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory records letter which indicates it was produced as a .38/72 with octagonal barrel, received in warehouse December 22, 1906 and shipped September 25, 1909 on order number 223619.

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 example was made in 1906, just after the turn of the century. Its 26" octagonal barrel is chambered for the .38-72 Winchester cartridge. The .38-72 Win. was a blackpowder bottleneck cartridge developed for the 1895 rifle, and introduced with the rifle in 1895. The cartridge is no longer in commercial production, however, people are still using them and making cases from .405 Winchester brass. It and its sister cartridge, the .40-72, were not hot sellers, and this rifle remained in Winchester's inventory for nearly three years before shipping in 1909, around the time that the chambering was discontinued. The rifle is in Very Good condition, retaining 75% original metal finish, a decent bore and good mechanics, appearing to have seen responsible use over the last 120 years. This would be a neat addition to a Winchester collection missing the 1895 Model, especially with its less common octagonal barrel. Please see our photos and good luck!