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Scarce Winchester Model 1895 Flat-Side Lever Action Rifle with Documentation

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,750.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Scarce Winchester Model 1895 Flat-Side Lever Action Rifle with Documentation
Early production Winchester Model Flat-Side Receiver Lever Sporting Rifle with Winchester Arms Museum letter. The Winchester Arms Museum letter identifies this piece as "rifle, 303 caliber" and states that it was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on August 6, 1897. The rifle has a round barrel with nickel-silver front sight blade and sporting style rear sight. The barrel, distinctive 'flat-side' receiver, magazine and lever are blued. The hammer and crescent steel buttplate have a casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are walnut with a varnish finish and the forearm tip has an ebony inlay. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "MANUFACTURED BY THE/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN.U.S.A.-" ahead of the rear sight. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the caliber designation "303E" in front of the receiver (the "E" most likely stands for English). The two-line "1895" patent dates are stamped behind the trigger and the serial number "3778" is located on the lower tang.
BBL: 28 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 303 British
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 3778
Condition: Fine, with 60% original blue overall with the balance a brown patina. Finish wear is concentrated on the upper portions of the receiver, the sides of the magazine and the loading lever. The buttplate has a silver gray patina. The fine stock and forearm has 70% of the original varnish finish with moderate handling wear. This is a fine example of a scarce Winchester Model 1895 Flat-Side Sporting Rifle.