Make: Winchester

Model: 1895 Takedown

Serial Number: 76251

Year of Manufacture: 1912 / C&R

Caliber: .30 Gov't 1903, 30-03 Springfield

Action Type: Takedown Lever Action with Internal Box Magazine

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked "—NICKEL STEEL BARREL— / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER" and ".30 GOVT'03". The left side of the receiver is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN. CONN. U.S.A." over patent dates. The top tang is marked "MODEL 1895 / —WINCHESTER— / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT OFF". The top of the barrel and the left shoulder of the receiver are marked with Winchester WP proofs. There are initials engraved on the right side of the receiver "R.E.H.".

Barrel Length: 24"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a Lyman #21 Receiver sight.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with schnabel forend with triangular ebony inlay at the tip, straight grip, straight comb, and a steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a small loss on the top right side of the receiver in the corner. Outside of this, there are no cracks. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear, heaviest at the heel and toe, with scattered light surface oxidation and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good Plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is well defined. There is very faint erosion. There is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. Most of the finish on the receiver has worn to white and taken to a light mottled patina. There is thinning down the length of the barrel with some stronger finish remaining around the front sight and toward the rear of the barrel. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with useable slots. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It is fairly smooth, the lever locks up 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). 100 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 1895 was made in 1912 before WWI began and during the same year the Titanic sank. This 115 year old rifle is mechanically sound, and has a fair bore. The plain fact is, Winchester rifles were exceedingly well built, and regardless of the wear present, it ought to function just as well as ever. Whether you’re looking to add to your Winchester collection or want to restore this for use as a classic hunting rifle, this would be a good addition to any safe in America.