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LOT 1001
Exceptional Winchester Model 1895 Flat-
Side Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 4522, 40-72
WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, varnished walnut stock. The
included factory letter states this rifle was received in the warehouse September 3,
1897, and was shipped the next day, and confirms the configuration (although it states 45/72
caliber, an obvious clerical error). This rifle has the first model “Flat-Side” receiver. According to author George
Madis in “The Winchester Book”, “Browning originally made his patent model with a flat sided receiver, and
when Winchester produced it, nearly five thousand arms of this model were shipped before introduction of
the receiver which was made one-sixteenth of an inch wider, with fluted sides. “(pg. 457). The rifle has a rapid taper, round, 26-inch barrel chambered for the
40-72 W.C.F. cartridge. The barrel has a Lyman “Jack” front sight with colored bead and a blank in the rear sight dovetail. The left side of the receiver is fitted
with a Lyman WR-WT rear sight with locking lever. This early sight is roll-stamped with the Lyman trademark followed by “LYMAN’S PAT. JUNE 25.95”. The sight
lacks the “LYMAN” marking on the bridge found on later model sights. The barrel, receiver, lever, and magazine have a blue finish. The bolt is bright blue. The hammer,
trigger, and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and Schnabel forearm are straight grain American walnut with a semi-gloss varnish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-
stamped: “MANUFACTURED BY THE/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-” in two lines ahead of the rear sight dovetail. The caliber: “40-72 W.C.F.” is roll-stamped on the top
of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The upper receiver tang has the first style marking: “WINCHESTER/-MODEL 1895-” in two lines. The
November 1895 patent dates are stamped in two lines behind the trigger. The serial number is stamped across the lower tang between the tang
screws. The First Model “Flat-Side” 1895 rifles were manufactured for less than two years and are scarce and very desirable.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus of the bright original blue finish overall. The barrel has crisp markings. The blue on the “Flat-Side” receiver shows light
to moderate handling wear with finish loss on the edges and contact points. The magazine has 70% of the blue finish with the usual cycling wear on the upper portions
and edge wear on contact points. The lever has 75% of the blue finish with edge wear on the sides and silvering on the bottom. The hammer has 85% of the original
case colors with cycling wear on the lower portions. The crescent buttplate has a smooth silver patina with traces of faded case colors. The stock and forearm remain
very fine with a few scattered and very minor handling and storage marks. This is an exceptional example of a scarce and desirable
Winchester Model 1895 “Flat-Side” lever action rifle.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Winchester Book" by Madis,
approximately the first 5000 Winchester 1895
rifles were produced with a flat sided receiver.
LOT 1000
Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Extra Lightweight Lever Action
Rifle in Desirable .45-70 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 128719A, 45-70
WCF cal., 22 inch lightweight round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in
1902. This is a solid representative example of a special
ordered Winchester Model 1886 extra lightweight rifle.
The standard configuration of the extra lightweight
variant of the ‘86 was a 22 inch tapered barrel, half
magazine, .45-70 W.C.F. caliber, and a hard rubber shotgun buttplate. The
included factory letter lists the rifle in .45-70 caliber with a 22 inch round barrel, plain trigger, half
magazine, and a rubber shotgun buttplate, as well as “Extra Light” when received at the warehouse on
8 January 1904 and shipped on 29 February 1904 in order number 217179, as well as 14 March 1904 in
order number 225156. The record goes on to state that the rifle was returned on 21 December 1904 in
order number 264010, received in the warehouse 23 December 1904, and shipped on 4 May 1905 in order number 6738. The reasoning
for the multiple ship dates and return date is unclear, but it is possible that this rifle may have been a promotional item sent out to a few dealers to drum up
sales. The barrel has the standard two-line address and caliber marking on top, while the nickel steel marking is to the left of the rear sight. The upper tang has the model
marking, while the two-line patent dates and serial number are on the lower tang. The upper tang has a factory drilled and tapped hole for a peep sight, with a filler screw in place. It is
fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight and an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight, which shows some period modification with a file. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and
straight grip stock with a checkered Winchester hard rubber buttplate, as well as the correct “extra light” hollow in the buttstock under the buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish on the receiver with cold blue visible on the bottom, 70% faded thin blue on the barrel with scratches, 75% plus of the original case colors
on the lever and hammer, and 25% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with some mild edge/handling wear and some scattered scratches. The wood is very fine with scattered light dings and
scratches. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a Winchester ‘86 “Extra Lightweight” rifle in the desirable .45-70 W.C.F. caliber!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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