Winchester Model 1895 Second Model Sporting Rifle – Rare Factory .30-03 Springfield, 24" Nickel-Steel Barrel
This 1912 Winchester Model 1895 Second Model Sporting Rifle stands out for its scarce factory chambering in .30-03 Springfield, a caliber offered only from 1905 to 1908. John M. Browning’s final lever-action design for Winchester, the Model 1895 features a vertical-eject box magazine that safely handles pointed smokeless cartridges. Collectors will appreciate the fluted receiver sides, two-piece lever, and sporting configuration free of military fittings, all original to this early 20th-century example.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – generally clean with some residue or smudges and slight corrosion.
Rifling Condition: Fair – worn rifling with slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: Scratches, surface blemishes, and scattered areas of rust and pitting are visible on the metal surfaces. The action cycles properly, and the walnut stock remains structurally sound.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 1895 Second Model Sporting Rifle chambered in .30-03 Springfield
The rifle’s 24-inch round nickel-steel barrel was specified by Winchester for smokeless powder use and is marked accordingly. Nickel-steel barrels are prized for their strength and were a premium option in this era.
A four-round, non-detachable box magazine projects below the receiver, allowing the safe use of spitzer bullets—an innovation that set the Model 1895 apart from earlier lever guns. The two-piece lever characteristic of Second Model rifles offers a smooth stroke while retaining the classic Winchester feel.
Sighting is handled by a drift-adjustable blade front and a sporting adjustable leaf rear, giving the shooter practical options for elevation changes in the field. The straight-grip walnut stock with schnabel fore-end and crescent buttplate preserves the period sporting aesthetic.
Serial number 66319 places manufacture in 1912, after the catalog period for .30-03, making this rifle’s combination of year and chambering particularly uncommon. An inspector’s “B” stamp appears on the underside of the fore-end, adding a small but authentic factory detail.