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LOT 3001
Exceptional World War
I Russian Contract Winchester Model 1895 Lever
Action Musket with Winchester Marked Bayonet - Serial no. 325018, 7.62x54
R cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The outbreak of World War I in August
of 1914 seemed to have taken the Russian Empire by surprise. Though they had a standing army of
over one million prior to the war, and quickly added more than three million conscripts, they remained completely incapable of supplying such vast formations with arms, ammunition, and equipment. These shortages drove the tsar to
LOT 3000
Documented Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Takedown
Rifle with Rare Factory Gold Shield/Monogram and Factory Letter - Serial no. 70604, 30 WCF cal., 26 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Per the Madis serial number data published by Winchester, this rifle is legally an antique. The accompanying factory letter states the rifle was received in the
warehouse on December 13, 1899 and shipped the same day to order number 45268 with a half octagon barrel in .30 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, Lyman rear and Jack front sights, half magazine, hard rubber shotgun buttplate, takedown configuration, and monogram “FAJ” on the “gold shield they sent fitted in cap of grip.” A deluxe Model 1894 with a factory monogram gold
inlay is rarely encountered. The deluxe configuration and monogram gold inlay make for a rare combination of rare features missing from even the most advanced collections. The rifle is fitted with a Lyman white beaded blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, and a fold tang peep sight. The barrel has the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and “30 WCF” at the breech on the top flat and the two- line nickel steel marking on the upper left flat. The serial number is stamped on the underside of the frame. As confirmed by the factory letter, a gold shield with a “FAJ” monogram is inlaid on the grip. The buttstock is fitted with a hard rubber Winchester shotgun buttplate. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are nicely figured XX walnut. The buttstock lacks provision for a factory hard rubber grip panel, another rare factory feature. The left side of the lower tang is marked “8924 XX OH.” The assembly number “8924” (faint) is repeated on the stock inlet. CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and magazine tube retain 40% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and a few patches of pitting. The forend cap, takedown collar, bolt, and frame retain 30% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The wood is also very good with minor handling marks and softened checkering. Mechanically excellent. A special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Takedown Rifle with factory gold monogram inlay that is a must have for the serious Winchester or lever action collector!
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
searching for arms and supplies in almost any form, from nearly anywhere they could be acquired. The Russian government approached nearly all major American arms companies, including Colt for Government Model pistols, Remington and New England-Westinghouse for Mosin-Nagant rifles, and
striking a deal with Winchester for 300,000 Model 1895 muskets manufactured to Russian specifications and chambered in 7.62x54 R. By the time of the of the Russian Revolutions of February and October 1917, Winchester had virtually completed the contract. Many of these rifles were issued to Finnish and Baltic troops and
saw hard use on the Eastern Front of World War I, through both revolutions of 1917, the civil war that followed, and some were shipped to Spain for use during their civil war of the 1930s, leaving relatively few surviving examples on the American market in any condition and even fewer in exceptional condition like this example. This example was manufactured in 1916,
the receiver having the distinguishing charger guides mounted on either side. The standard Winchester markings are on the left of the receiver, upper tang, the serial number is on the lower tang, and Russian acceptance mark on the right of the receiver. There is an import mark on the receiver. The receiver ring has a Winchester oval proof and the “7.62/M.M.” caliber marking. It is fitted with a pinned brass
blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a musket length forearm and upper handguard, as well as a straight grip stock with Russian inspection stamp on the right and a trapdoor military pattern buttplate (cleaning rod not included). Includes a correct Winchester marked bayonet with scabbard and frog, as well as a brown leather sling (partially torn).
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish, well above average for these Russian contract 1895s, with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown patina. The wood is also very fine with some scattered
minor handling marks and crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. One would search a long time to find a better example of a Russian contract Winchester Model 1895 musket! 2 Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000