Make: Winchester

Model: 1895

Serial Number: 417645

Year of Manufacture: 1926

Caliber: .30 Gov. '06 (.30-06 Springfield)

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Internal Box Magazine.

Barrel Length: 22″

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down with the base graduated from 300-1,000 yards and with a "V"-notch slider on the ladder graduated from 1,000 to 1,800 yards.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are three-piece smooth walnut with banded, finger-grooved forend, handguard, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks and scratches. The belly was inlet for a sling plate, but the inlet has been filled. There are a series of notches on the top-right edge of the forend in front of the barrel band that appear intentionally applied. The LOP measures 12 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a light patina with some spots of surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is strong finish in the barrel, bolt and magazine, the receiver has mostly worn to white. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some surface erosion, mostly on the barrel behind the front sight. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear Overall, the rifle is in Good-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. The U.S. Government also ordered carbines, but we are, as of this writing, unable to find records as to just how many.

This saddle ring carbine was made in 1926 during the inter-war years. This example, chambered in .30-06 Gov’t is in Good-Very Good condition retaining original metal finish, a fair bore and great mechanics. This is a nice find for the Winchester collectors and should make for a fun shooter, too. Please see our photos and good luck!