www.homesteadfirearms.com

Winchester pre-64 Model 1895

 Images can usually be enlarged by clicking them
Use Back Button to Return

Introduction | I. History of Winchester Rifles | II. Models |  III. Variations | IV. Outline of Features | V. Condition  | VI. Diagrams


Which Model-Configuration of 1895 Rifle do You Have?

Step 1: Determine the Model of firearm

There are 3 Model Configurations in the 1895 Winchester, with several variations of those models.  The standard 1895 rifle was a lever action and had a walnut stock, with either a shotgun-type, carbine-type or crescent buttplate.  Deluxe varieties had checkered stocks and may have a pistol grip (rare) and/or other added features, as many different options were available directly from the Winchester factory. 

Forend Wood type will be one criteria used to differentiate among the 3 different Model Configurations of the 1895 Winchester.  The sporting rifle has a plain forend (forearm) while the Carbine has a military-style hand guard forearm, and finally the Muskets have a 'musket-type' forend (see following pictures for comparison).

Musket Forend (top left) Sporting Rifle forend (bottom left) Carbine forend (right)

Barrel length is another criteria that will be used to differentiate among different Model Configurations.  Barrel length is measured from the end of the barrel tip (below the front sight), to the end of the barrel threads (beyond where the barrel inserts into the receiver in the middle of the gun).  In the 1895 Winchester, you can measure from the top of the receiver from where the bolt opening ends (see yellow arrow tip in following picture), to the barrel tip to obtain an accurate overall barrel length.  As an example, in the Carbine which has a 22" barrel, the measurement from the barrel tip to the receiver front is only 21 1/4 ".  In order to add the distance of the barrel threads, you need to keep measuring into the receiver until you reach the end of the threads at the bolt/receiver opening (see where arrow points to in picture below).  This will give you the correct barrel length measurement.

 

                                            ------->


 

Age of Gun is also an important criteria in the 1895 Winchester.  Early production guns up to serial number 5,000 are worth 100% more than later produced guns.  These early guns are called a 'Flatside' because the receiver is completely flat, and is not concavely indented as in the above receiver picture (to the right of the yellow arrow).

Flatside Winchester 1895
Sporting Rifle

 

Use the following Key to determine which model (configuration) of gun you have.  Start at "a" and then select one of the "a" choices.  Follow the STEPS through the key to determine your rifle type.  Then confirm with the overall descriptions and variations.  These guns were very popular and some have gone through many hands.  Each owner had an opportunity to modify the gun, add parts, change parts, and remove features.  Be alert for such modifications, and remember that any modification from the original probably decreases value.

If you need help determining names  used for the parts of your gun, examine the Parts Diagram by Clicking Here.

Easy Key:

a. My gun is a lever action 1895 with a barrel that is GREATER THAN 22" in length .  ---  Go to section b

a. My gun is a lever action 1895 with a barrel 22" LONG.    The gun is blued, has a plain walnut stock, a military-style hand-guard forearm and a carbine style buttplate.  Early guns have saddle rings. You have a   Carbine.

An early 1895 Carbine


Enter the Model of your gun in the column to the right 

>>>>>>>>>

 Go to STEP 2

 

 

b. My gun has a barrel that has a MUSKET-STYLE Forearm ---  Go to section c


 

b1. My gun is a lever action, DOES NOT HAVE the musket-style forearm, with a barrel length that is  24" or 28" long.    The barrel will be round, the stock plain or checkered walnut, and the buttplate will be crescent or special order carbine style.  The forend (forearm) is also either plain or checkered walnut, uncapped, and with a Schnabel-type end and black plastic insert.  The gun is blued, and those made prior to serial number 5,000 will have flat-sided receivers and are worth a premium.  You have a  Winchester 1895 Sporting rifle.

Winchester 1895 with barrel over 22" in length

Enter the Model of your gun in the column to the right 

>>>>>>>>>

 

 Go to STEP 2

 

c. My gun has a musket-type forearm with two barrel bands.  The barrel can be from 24", 28" or 30" long, plain walnut stock that is NOT checkered and has a carbine-style metal butt plate.  If your gun has a serial number less than 5,000 you have  a "Flat side" Musket.  You have a Winchester 1895 Musket.

 

An 1895 Musket with musket-type forend

 

 

Carbine-style metal buttplate on an 1895 Winchester Musket.  Also note door for cleaning rod, as found on the Russian style Musket


Enter the Model of your gun in the column to the right 

>>>>>>>>>

 Go to STEP 2


 

 

Continue to Step 2 and the Variations of Models

 


Introduction | I. History of Winchester Rifles | II. Models |  III. Variations | IV. Outline of Features | V. Condition  | VI. Diagrams