Winchester Model 1895

[Rod Russell]

I know very little about firearms or their values but I have inheirted my grandfathers guns. I'm laid up from a rotator cuff repair, so I have some spare time on my hands. The 1st rifle I'm looking for information on is a Winchester Model 1895, 30/40 Kragg, Serial #10915. On the barrel it say "nickel steel Barrel Especially for smokeless powder also is has"30 U.S."
And a peep sight that says Lyman's Pat. June 25.95 Can anybody give me some info on this Rifle?

[Alpo]

The 30 US is just another name for 30/40 Krag (like 9mm Luger and 9mm Parabellum). SN 10913 was made in 1898.

[Rod Russell]

Thanks, just what I was looking for, a little info on the rifle. How did you know the year of the rifle from the sn? Is it worth anything? I know without pics it's hard to say it's value but it has never been reblued, needs it.

[Jim K]

That rifle was a Browning design, the first Winchester lever action to be made for modern rifle cartridges. 425,881 were made from 1896 to 1931, in a bunch of calibers, including .30-40, .30-'03 and .30-'06, along with .303 British, .38-72, .40-72 and .405 Winchester, the latter supposedly a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt on his African safaris. The most common caliber was 7.62 Russian (66% of total production) because Russia bought some 293,000 of them under a 1915 contract. Almost all of those rifles either disappeared or are still in Russia.

In decent average condition, they bring around $3000; in like new condition, around $5000.

Jim

[Alpo]

Originally Posted by Rod Russell

Thanks, just what I was looking for, a little info on the rifle. How did you know the year of the rifle from the sn? Is it worth anything? I know without pics it's hard to say it's value but it has never been reblued, needs it.

There are serial number charts in several books, and quite a few websites out there. I used this one.
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm

[Jim K]

First, unless the finish is really bad, don't have it reblued. On the collector market, a gun with, say, 80 percent finish will often be twice the value of a reblued gun.

Jim

[muddober]

Originally Posted by Jim K

That rifle was a Browning design, the first Winchester lever action to be made for modern rifle cartridges. 425,881 were made from 1896 to 1931, in a bunch of calibers, including .30-40, .30-'03 and .30-'06, along with .303 British, .38-72, .40-72 and .405 Winchester, the latter supposedly a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt on his African safaris. The most common caliber was 7.62 Russian (66% of total production) because Russia bought some 293,000 of them under a 1915 contract. Almost all of those rifles either disappeared or are still in Russia.

In decent average condition, they bring around $3000; in like new condition, around $5000.

Jim

Jim, I just learned something from your post which one reason why I am here. I had no idea that many 95's were made in 7.62 Russian. Also you overlooked the 35 Winchester chambering which is one of my favorites and I reload for it.


Ron