Winchester Model 1895 125th Anniversary Edition .30-40 Krag Lever-Action Rifle – Hand-Engraved, Limited 2020 Release
Created to honor 125 years of the iconic John M. Browning–designed Model 1895, this limited-run Winchester lever-action blends classic lines with premium materials and true factory engraving. Only a few hundred were produced in 2020, each wearing a silver-nitride receiver hand-chased with scrollwork and fitted with high-grade American black walnut. Chambered in .30-40 Krag and equipped with a 24-inch gloss-blued barrel, this commemorative rifle offers both collectible appeal and the strong ballistic performance that made the original famous.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent – showing only faint signs of prior use or handling.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor, superficial scratches and small blemishes are present on metal and wood surfaces; none penetrate the finish. The walnut remains crisp with sharp checkering.
Bore Condition: Excellent – clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent – sharp lands and grooves.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 1895 Lever-Action & Takedown Rifles owner’s manual
- Factory cable gun lock with keys (sealed packaging)
The 125th Anniversary edition stands out immediately thanks to its nickel-hued silver-nitride receiver, lever, and magazine, each covered with hand-chased scroll engraving performed at the factory. A gold-filled inscription on the barrel clearly marks the commemorative issue, reinforcing its limited-run status.
Winchester selected Grade V/VI American black walnut—the finest ever offered on a modern Model 1895—for both the straight-grip stock and Schnabel forend. Twenty-line-per-inch cut checkering ensures secure handling while showcasing the wood’s deep figure.
The 24-inch, gloss-blued steel barrel is paired with traditional iron sights: a Marble Arms gold-bead front on a dovetailed ramp and a folding buckhorn ladder rear. The rifle’s flush box magazine retains the 4+1-round capacity that originally allowed the 1895 to use spitzer bullets safely.
A two-position sliding tang safety, external rebounding hammer, and smooth lever throw preserve the familiar handling that hunters and collectors expect. With a 13.5-inch length of pull and an overall weight of roughly eight pounds, the rifle balances well despite its robust steel construction.
Serial prefix “WIJP…YM125” confirms its anniversary lineage, and Winchester’s catalog number 534285115 documents this as an official, factory-engraved, limited production piece produced only in 2020.