Got an Original 1895

[Beau Cassidy]

A few weeks ago I went to a gunshow in South Atlanta down by the airport. It was a big one. Saturday there were so many people there I left only to return Sunday. Normally I don't take my checkbook but that day I did as I was in the market for a good .35 Remington. I also almost left when the admit fee was $12. I have never paid that much to get into a gunshow. Anyway, I slowly made my was thru the show. After seeing one poor Winchester Model 71 .348 (which I love and have 3 of) for $3850 I stumbled upon this little jewel. I have never seen one before. I have 2 reproductions in .405 and .30/06 but not in .30 Krag. The price was good and the guy behind me was all over himself to buy it so what did I do? I bought it.

I got it at such a good price I was considering selling it before leaving the show. I made sure it was carried in a position that everyone could see it. There were many people who stopped me to inquire about it before I left. Interestingly, no young bucks even paid it any attention and nobody wanted to pony up even what close to what it was worth. Most people walked right buy a piece of history and didn't even know it- but I did!

It isn't in the best of shape but hey- I got it!

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895003.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895002.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895004.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895005.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895006.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895007.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895008.jpg

[Beau Cassidy]

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895009.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895010.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895011.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895012.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895013.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895014.jpg

[Haggway]

Is this one in 30-40?
This is a great looking rifle, and one I would not mind having around my place.

[405]

You darn tootin'! The Win 95 30-40 in carbine is one of the jewels of the model! What a nice package. Also, they carry the highest $ premium of the standard Win 95s. Sad that so few even recognized what they were looking at.... but you did :)

While it appears well worn, if the bore is halfway decent should do fine.

[JohnnyFlake]

That is really, really a great find! I am glad your so happy!

[sliphammer]

Model 95's are interesting old guns. Looks like you have one that you can have some fun with. Be careful with the top wood - that piece is a bit tender and hard to find a replacement for.

[Beau Cassidy]

I am suspect the top wood has been replaced. It is in a little better condition and a little different grain than the rest of the gun. It looks like somebody put a little varnish on the gun at some point. I don't think anyone has been in gun to monkey with it. I just ordered brass and dies for it. I gotta get my NOE ranch dog mold going to get some bullets cast.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Nice find ! An origonal carbine is on my find list. Check the #´s.. this might be one that went up Kettle Hill and beyond.
Have a couple rifles in 30 Gov. Check the throat as some are rather on the fat side.
Mike in Peru

[405]

Everything on that carbine looks correct! It most certainly is a carbine rear sight (the 700 top notch is a give away). If the top handguard is a later replacement it would either be a musket or carbine type. There is only 5/32" length difference between the carbine and musket sights. If it's a carbine top handguard the sight would be snug fit into the rectangular cutout. If it is a musket top handguard there would be about 5/32" total end to end clearance in the cutout for the shorter carbine sight. Just a minor point but might help determine the nature of the top handguard.

[Beau Cassidy]

Here is the serial number I am not sure what the B means.

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-122005.jpg


This is what I mean when I say the top guard wood may be replacement.

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-122008.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-122003.jpg


Here are the sights. A few screws are boogered up pretty bad.

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-122004.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-122001.jpg

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-122002.jpg

[MT Gianni]

What a great find.

[405]

It's a 1915 gun. And, I've seen references to the B stamp. I think either Mathis or Pirkle has made mention of it. I don't think it means a lot other than Madis says it denotes when Winchester used two assembly lines based on increased demand (assembly lines A and B). Makes sense when you look at the high M95 production numbers for 1915 in addition to the huge Russian M95 contract at that time. Matter of fact I may have a couple of old Winchesters with the extra 'A's or 'B's- can't remember. Extra marks on the barrel just in front of the receiver but hidden under the stock can have some meaning- the factory would put specific marks there when they did a barrel replacement. That too would not detract from the gun as it was factory work.

The top guard looks different in a couple of ways- all the photos show it. 1) The finish looks newer and it's not as worn as the bottom, but the bottom was likely sanded and refinished at some time. 2) The color of the stain is different. However both appear to be walnut and original Winchester parts. If that is a later musket top guard replacement it detracts very little from the gun. The end clearance of the sight base cutout is the only way I know to tell visually without precise measurement. A carbine sight will fit snug in a carbine top guard and a little loose in a musket top guard.

Old guns tend to have a few buggered screws as many who worked on them simply didn't have the correct tools, didn't care or didn't know. They are easily replaced and don't detract except in the very highest grade guns.

[TXGunNut]

Very nice. $12 well spent.

[DanWalker]

WOW! Congrats on a great find. I shot a reproduction 1895 for the first time last month. It flung a terrible craving on me. I see a 405 winny following me home next winter. Hope that gun is as fun to shoot as it is to look at.

[KirkD]

Very nice. Congratulations on acquiring a very desirable piece of history. Fine looking gun.

[shovel80]

I've seen quite a few '95's at gun shows, but, not one with that configuration with the fore arm etc..VERY Nice!!

Terry

[Beau Cassidy]

Thanks for the comments fellas. It looks like I got a lot more than I realized.

[GARCIA]

BC:

The AR Bunker in Newnan has a 95 on consignment.
Standard 30-06.

Tom

[Frank46]

I have it's older brother. Serial range is 795xx also made in 1915. Mine isn't as nice as yours. Bubba got to it first. But has a nice bore. Also does not have the rear sight. Some fool took it off and stuck a rear sight off a winchester 94. Thanks for sharing. Frank

[Westerner]

Howdy Gent's.
I posted my find on the Lever gun post a few minutes ago. everything except the action, bottom & buttstock wood is new. A Williams peep and new barrel with front sight was added. all was re-parkerized and came to $800. Great for CAS when I put a new tang sight on her.

[Hang Fire]

You did great. That carbine has a history which denotes usage and if mine, I would not change a thing.