September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
This attractive deluxe configuration 1895 was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on December 4th, 1896. Fit with a 24" polished blue finished round barrel chambered in .30-40 with 2-line address, ivory bead blade front sight, and forward sling eye. Original rear sight has been removed and replaced with a blank, leaving a ghost mark from the elevator. High polished blue early production flatside receiver with a Model 21 "Climbing" Lyman aperture rear sight. Checkered figured walnut splinter forend with a lipped ebony insert tip. Checkered figured walnut pistol grip stock with composite WRACO grip cap, rear sling eye, and case-hardened crescent butt plate. Left of tang stamped with "3546" assembly number and "XXX" wood grade. Buttstock stamped under the butt plate with "3161" assembly number. The included factory letter lists stocks as "Fancy pistol grip, not checkered" indicating that the well-executed checkering was possibly added as an upgrade later, but it certainly does not detract from this fabulous rifle. Model 1895s with pistol grips in any configuration are quite scarce, George Madis lists only 286 produced. PROVENANCE: Ex Ray Bentley Collection. CONDITION: Excellent. Approximately 90% or better factory blue with some losses on the lever and other light marks. Hammer and butt plate retain the majority of their muted case colors with balance fading to patina. Stocks are very fine with scattered light impressions and bountiful original finish. Bright bore with sharp well-defined rifling throughout. Mechanically fine. An especially attractive, early high condition rare deluxe configuration Model 1895.
CORRECTION: This rifle has a 28" barrel, not a 24".
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Previous Description