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Hello,
I am new to this forum and while I don’t believe I would be violating rules by posting this, I definitely wanted to check and see if my post would be questionable.
I am currently working on trying to bring a shortened Winchester 1895 Russian Contract Musket back to close-to-original configuration. Nearly done, with wood finish left. This is my first restoration, and I am learning as I go. Please let me know what you think, and if possible, answer a couple of questions.
Note: I am planning to finish wood with Winchester Restorations Oil by John Kay. And mix in a bit of Pilkington’s pre-64 stain into the oil.
First things first. The barrel is shortened so I can’t at this time restore to original configuration. But I decided to make it look as close as possible to the original.
Starting point:
Since the barrel is shortened I decided to not get the 2 offered to me wood sets, because I would not be able to raise my hand at chopping an original forestock to accommodate my shorter barrel. So, I am working with a reproduction set from GunVille. I am waiting for a handguard with clips from another place too – Parts For Antique Guns
The search for parts was a success.
The Holy Grail of parts (notice I have 2 sets of some, with one set of charger guides already on the rifle)
I have videos up, but not sure how to post them here. Doesn’t seem to work, so here is a playlist link instead: Winchester 1895 Russian Musket
And here are some progress pictures:
Can anyone let me know how to post youtube videos here? It doesn’t seem to work for some reason. Is it because I am a guest?
You should be able to post a link to a youtube video. Simply cut & paste the url into your message.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I enjoyed looking through the images and watched parts of your videos. It looks like a fun project and I hope the musket shoots well for you. It looks like it will all turn out looking good. I have not tried the Winchester restorations oil before and hopefully you are able to get a wood finish result that matches the rest of the musket.
Brad
Thank you very much. I am certainly worried about getting it done right. And I have posted similar threads on other forums, but this is where Winchester collectors live, so I am really interested in your guys’ opinion and criticism.
Here are the videos of the progress so far:
Part 1 – Fitting a repro buttstock
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Part 2 – Fitting a repro forestock
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Part 3 – Bedding the forestock to the receiver.
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Part 4 – Bedding the forestock to the forestock stud
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Extra – Rear sight disassembly
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Part 5 – Rear sight installation and handguard fitting
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Part 6 – Forestock to Handguard fitting and some correcting
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Part 7 – Barrel Bands fitting
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Part 8 – Buttplate fitting
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Part 9 – Shaping and Drilling
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Part 10 – Front sight installation
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Part 11 – Wood Finishing Started
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Part 12 – Shooting
Posted a new video. Would like to get some feedback on anything I may be doing wrong.
Thank you in advance.
Here is a video of me finishing (after the wet sanding) and pictures (though they don’t show the actual color of the stock)
In different color conditions:
But the wood is actually this color:
I am sorry I don’t have any technical feedback to give you on the 1895 but I have been fascinated with your restoration and have been thoroughly enjoying your step by step process. I think it is the most well-documented restoration I have seen (with by far the most video) and really appreciate you posting the information. It has been very entertaining and the end result looks great!
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
I am sorry I don’t have any technical feedback to give you on the 1895 but I have been fascinated with your restoration and have been thoroughly enjoying your step by step process. I think it is the most well-documented restoration I have seen (with by far the most video) and really appreciate you posting the information. It has been very entertaining and the end result looks great!Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Regards,
Thank you very much. I will be taking this rifle to the range soon. Another video to come. 🙂
I, too, have no technical expertise to contribute, but it looks like you have done a very nice job. I’ll look forward to your range video.
Thank you all.
I have finally put her back together, now with all parts on (butt plate, slide swivel, tang and barrel band screws)
Taking her to the range early next week. This week, wild fires had the range inaccessible.
BEAUTIFUL!
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Thank you.
Here is me shooting it. Need to make a taller front sight blade, but other than that, it was awesome.
Hey that looks like a good time. Congratulations on doing a great job finishing the musket.
What’s the weight of the bullet and muzzle velocity of the ammo you are firing?
Brad Dunbar said
Hey that looks like a good time. Congratulations on doing a great job finishing the musket.What’s the weight of the bullet and muzzle velocity of the ammo you are firing?
Thank you. I am using the factory 7.62x54R 150 grain Soft point ammo, which according to specs has the muzzle velocity of 2,838 fps.
I was curious how close the modern ammo was to what Winchester loaded in WWI. It sounds very close to the notes I’m looking at. Thanks.
VERY cool! Glad it shoots well, that makes it all worthwhile!
Again, thanks for taking the time and effort to provide all the great eye candy and entertainment. It is detailed posts such as yours that keeps this forum fresh.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Awesome job, I watched all of the videos and am working on a very similar restoration. The only problem is I cannot find any of the hardware I need to complete the restoration of my 1895 Russian musket. I’m missing the barrel bands, rear sight, and butt stock plate but have everything else. Anywhere you can recommend to look for the rear sight at least? I feel like I may be able to make my own based on the originals I have on my unmolested 1895 Russian musket.
spikespencer said
Awesome job, I watched all of the videos and am working on a very similar restoration. The only problem is I cannot find any of the hardware I need to complete the restoration of my 1895 Russian musket. I’m missing the barrel bands, rear sight, and butt stock plate but have everything else. Anywhere you can recommend to look for the rear sight at least? I feel like I may be able to make my own based on the originals I have on my unmolested 1895 Russian musket.
Sorry, sold the spare rear sight. I have a potential buyer for the charger guides and buttplate. If the sale doesn’t go though I can let you know.
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