A 1902ish 1895 Winchester...

[rbernie]

The LGS has a 1902-ish (27K serial number) 30 US chambered Winchester 1895, and I’m sorely tempted. Deficits include a light pitting in the bore, 20% finish left, and the rear sight isn’t original. On the good side, it’s a butter smooth action and the surface finish isn’t pitted - and, of course, its just dang cool.

It’s a consignment / no layaway, and the tag is $1200. What would be a reasonable market value for a 30/40 Krag 1895 as described?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Is it chambered for .30-40 or .30-03? IIRC, both were called .30 Govt. for a time.......

Either way, the price seems in line with what Ive been seeing, maybe towards the high end a bit for a cosmetically-challenged example, but not crazy.

Have the shop call up the consigner and offer him an even grand, see what he says, maybe?

 

[rbernie]

I assumed 30/40 but didn’t have any way to check. I suppose that I could do a quick look for a rim recess in the breechface.

I happen to know that the seller bought it in 2019 for $999. I just didn’t know if that was in line with market value or not - thanks for the insights!

 

[DocRock]

1902, it's chambered in 30-40. The 30-03 didn't actually see the light of day until 1904 and Winchester will not have been chambering rifles in it before then.

I am a huge fan of the 30-40 and have a number of rifles chambered in it, including an 80s Miroku made "Browning 1895". It's a lovely rifle and the 30-40 packs some punch. Great elk rifle. I've put a repro Clmbin' Lyman sight on it.

I paid $800 for my repro and rarely see them much below $1K. I got it because most of the decent originals that I saw, and I wanted one, were $1500 and up.

So, $1200 for as you describe, seems consistent with the market to me.

Be aware, I have cursed JMB (Peace Be Upon Him) for his design of the the 1895. Disassembly is straight forward but getting parts of the trigger assembly under spring tension back together, and the magazine, which has to be removed to take the bolt out, back in is a PITA, to put it mildly.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

One source I found, supposedly straight from Winchesters archives, lists a 27k serial number as 1900 production.

When the OP said 1902-ish I was thinking that could extend to '04 or '05.......

 

[Jonny2guns]

Sounds like a great find for a decent price, around here no used lever guns stick around for long, seems like everybody snatches them up.

 

[StrawHat]

30US is another name for the 30 Krag or the 30/40.

30 Gov’t is another name for the 30-06.


That is an okay price for a Winchester Model 1895. These are usually found with rough bores as the ammunition of the day used corrosive primers and if not cleaned properly, etched the bores, sometimes severely. I traded into one years ago. Bore looked like a sewer pipe. After cleaning and more cleaning sent it out to be reworked into a 405 WCF.


Kevin

 

[Coyote3855]

Hate to see those prices as the 1895 is a Winchester I would like to own. Homage to Theodore Roosevelt.

 

[J-Bar]

I inherited a ‘95 from an uncle. I had a gunsmith check the headspace which was found to be excessive. He estimated $600 or so to turn the barrel, ream out the chamber, etc. to make the gun shootable again. I later learned that ‘95s are prone to excessive headspace. It would be worth $10 to check the headspace before purchasing.

 

[StrawHat]

If you handload, the excessive headspace is easily dealt with.


Kevin

 

[J-Bar]

If you handload, the excessive headspace is easily dealt with.


Kevin

Your comment surprises me. I’m sure you are more experienced in handloading than I, but I have never heard anyone say it is ok to shoot a firearm with excessive headspace. I’m willing to learn if you care to teach.

 

[DocRock]

Your comment surprises me. I’m sure you are more experienced in handloading than I, but I have never heard anyone say it is ok to shoot a firearm with excessive headspace. I’m willing to learn if you care to teach.

Let's say, "a bit excessive headspace". The 30-40 headspaces on the rim. If there's a bit of excess headspace, the shoulder will move forward when you fire a cartridge. Then, either neck size only, or set your FL die to just kiss the shoulder slightly so that you get the lightest crush fit (a good idea in a lever gun anyway). Voila, no more excess headspace. Obviously, if it's a truly significant problem, this won't fix it.

 

[StrawHat]

What DocRoc says is correct. You manufacture ammunition to fit the chamber.

The British Enfield rifles and carbines were all cut with large chambers for ease of chambering dirty cartridges. Those large chambers played hob with reloaders who insisted on full length sizing. If you wanted more than a couple of firings you needed to neck size and leave the new shoulder where it wanted to be.

Kevin

 

[HPJeep]

$1200 for a 20% gun is somewhat reasonable. I'd offer $1000. The 30-40 Krag is a fun cartridge.

 

[Speedo66]

I tend to look at things like this: when will I see another one of this particular model which I can hold in my hands and check out? It's worth a little more to me to be able to see it before I buy, rather than taking a chance through an internet sale.

If the price is within reason for the condition and it's something you're interested in, I'd say go for it.