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Winchester 1895 Colorado National Guard 30-40

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 2,800.00 USD
Winchester 1895 Colorado National Guard 30-40
SN: 17994. This rifle started out as a military musket, which has now been reduced to a 20 5/8" barrel with the forearm proportionately reduced. The front sight has been relocated in a semi-professional manner and brazed in place. Manufactured 3/30/1899, shipped 4/3/1899, (Work Order 25322) as one of approximately 400 with this special issue roll mark. These Model 1895 muskets were used extensively by the Colorado National Guard in suppressing miner's unions during the Colorado Labor Wars of 1903 and 1904. The right side of the receiver has the marking: "NATIONAL GUARD OF COLORADO" while the left has standard Winchester markings. The top of the receiver ring is marked "1 D 50". (1st Colorado NG Regt., Company D, 50th Rifle) barrel stamped ".30 U.S.". "KSM" (Kelly S. Morse) inspector mark is stamped on the hammer & lever. Bottom of lever stamped "B". Pinned blade front sight, rear aperture sight graduated to 1,800 yards and marked "200," "300," "500," and "700" on the left side. The rifle was apparently sold or transferred to the U.S. Interior Department as the left wrist is stamped "USID". Firearms that belonged to the Interior Dept. were generally issued the the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Tribal Police, & "Meat Getters". this is further substantiated by the presence of very old rawhide wrappings that completely surround the about half of the butt & buttplate and a small band around the wrist. The rifle shows very hard use as do most ":Indian Guns". Rifle has a crescent steel buttplate instead of musket plate, perhaps done at the time it was acquired by the Interior Dept. The metal is mostly in the white with light pitting throughout, bore is rough/dark, wood is sound with numerous scratches/dings. forearm is a little loose. All markings are readable. Comes with a Professional appraisal by J.R. Lange of the Carter Mountain Consulting Co. Cody Wy. Mr. Lange worked for the Cody Firearms Museum. The rifle was appraised at $3000.00 in 2000. There is also a 1974 dated letter to the Colorado National Guard about this rifle. The gun has a very interesting History. NRA Condition-Fair. C&R Firearm.