Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 21156

Year of Manufacture: 1899

Caliber: .40-72 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Internal Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble No. 6 brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble's "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine-adjustable for elevation, has a white diamond aiming reference and can be reversed to present a "V"-notch. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 21 receiver sight installed, marked "WR" on the inside of the arm. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with schnabel-tip forend with ebony inlay, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The forend has relief-cuts on each side toward the front, possibly for some type of barrel band? There is wear around the forend mounting screw which may also be from a previously installed band. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 some scattered light oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some handling wear around the front of the receiver and magazine, on the top tang and in the lever loop. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with clusters of marks on the sides of the barrel below the rear sight. There is some minor oxidation and spots of stubborn dried grease. 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 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: None.

Our Assessment: The 1895 Winchester was the first lever action model to incorporate a non-detachable 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. The 1895 was used by major powers worldwide, with Russia alone purchasing nearly 300,000 1895’s to supplement their own arms production during World War I. In 1899, 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. One hundred were issued for field testing in the Philippines and the remaining 9,900 were sold to M. Harley Company. Many of these were shipped to the new Cuban government in 1906 and some found their way to Pancho Villa’s troops in Mexico.

This is a fairly early 1895 chambered for .40-72. The .40-72 Win. was a blackpowder straight walled cartridge developed for the 1895 rifle, and introduced with the rifle in 1895. By 1911, it was dropped by Winchester as an available cartridge in favor of the more popular smokeless cartridges. However, people are still using them and making cases from .405 Winchester brass. This rifle is in Very Good condition with much of its original finish remaining, a decent bore and strong mechanics. It is certainly in much better shape than any of us will be at 125 years old! This early rifle with its somewhat rare caliber is sure to attract the attention of Winchester collectors and the handloaders may get it back out on the range or in the field for another century. Please see our photos and good luck!