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A new addition to my collection 1895 Winchester Lee Fancy Sporting rifle serial number 13592, one of only 20 made according to Herbert Houze’s publication on Winchester bolt actions. Condition is 98% plus
March 31, 2009
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[email protected] said
A new addition to my collection 1895 Winchester Lee Fancy Sporting rifle serial number 13592, one of only 20 made according to Herbert Houze’s publication on Winchester bolt actions. Condition is 98% plus
20 is pretty close. Eugene Myszkowki’s book lists 23 pistol grips by serial number. Yours is listed in his book. Mine, 14368 is the last one listed. There is an additional one, 11227, in his book that has a straight grip. He does not list yours or mine as Fancy Wood but both are. I’m not sure what the actual number is, but not many. So at least 24.
November 7, 2015
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Nice score, good job on the pics. I’m hoping you will give some thought to submitting a calendar photo.
Mike
October 14, 2024
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Beautiful rifle. Congrats. How is the bore? Do you intend to shoot her? I would love to add a fancy sporter to my collection, I’m sure that the price would be prohibitive.
March 31, 2009
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kevindpm61 said
Beautiful rifle. Congrats. How is the bore? Do you intend to shoot her? I would love to add a fancy sporter to my collection, I’m sure that the price would be prohibitive.
I can’t answer for Dave what he plans to do but shooting one of these is not easy to do. Ammo can be found but it costs around $20 per round or more. Original rounds may or may not shoot. These used a stripper clip and the clips are worth $150 or more. Repo clips sold by S&S Firearms are not correct but might work. But you can single load it. Nobody makes the brass. The older brass is not reliable. Even new in the box cartridges often have split necks. You can use 220 Swift brass, although a little short, will work. It is a 6mm or .243″ so bullets are available. .236″ is the lands diameter. Dies can be made by CH4D.
But be very cautious with this rifle. The straight pull bolt has caused some people very serious injury and I believe at least one death. If the rifle is not assembled correctly or if you shoot loads that are too hot the bolt may hit you in your face.
Hi guys the bore matches the exterior and as Chuck says original rounds are pricey. I have an early Winchester box with 8 original rounds as well as a UMC 5 round stripper clip. I was offered some emty original boxes recently as well as a couple with 5 rounds each and some 20 individual loose rounds for $1700 Canadian dollars but didn’t see the value and the boxes were rough. Unless I get a good deal on some additional singles I doubt I will fire it. It is a beauty but I have seen several horror stories about hand loads resulting in catastrophic failures. The inventor James Paris Lee lived and had a foundry in a small town in Ontario near me.
October 14, 2024
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I am familiar with the difficulties of finding ammunition or even making brass for this caliber. I also read the account of the person who fairly recently died from reloading and shooting his 1895. It would certainly give one cause for concern before pulling the trigger. I almost bought a plain 1895 Sporting rifle but passed on it because of these issues.
James Paris Lee was an amazing inventor. I own a Remington-Lee sporting rifle in 30-40 Krag. It’s one of about 1400 sporting rifles in all calibers combined. I took a doe with it last year at 65 yards with open sights. The rifle is light and nimble. A joy to carry and shoot.
March 31, 2009
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[email protected] said
Hi guys the bore matches the exterior and as Chuck says original rounds are pricey. I have an early Winchester box with 8 original rounds as well as a UMC 5 round stripper clip. I was offered some emty original boxes recently as well as a couple with 5 rounds each and some 20 individual loose rounds for $1700 Canadian dollars but didn’t see the value and the boxes were rough. Unless I get a good deal on some additional singles I doubt I will fire it. It is a beauty but I have seen several horror stories about hand loads resulting in catastrophic failures. The inventor James Paris Lee lived and had a foundry in a small town in Ontario near me.
Dave, that’s a beautiful rifle. Mine does not have the checkered diamond. Just checkered on the wrist and forearm.
I’m trying to fill a Winchester Military and a UMC Military box. I need 10 Winchester Military rounds and 1 clip. Not the commercial soft points. The UMC Military box needs 11 cartridges and 2 clips. I don’t need any boxes or the early Rimmed cases. I see them for sale but to many want too much. It’s not something I spend much time looking for.
Nobody but the shooter that died knows the real cause. So much conjecture on the internet. I have never read a report of these types of failures during the time the rifles were used during their service in the Military.
Kevin I own a Remington Lee sporter in 303 and a military rifle in 30-40 as well .As you say the sporters are ultra light!
September 21, 2016
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Rare piece, love the wood! Thanks for sharing.
I have a deluxe model, #12728. Has a capped pistol grip. Is there any information on this rifle? Also have standard sporting rifle #13570. I had someone, who has unfortunately passed away, make me some ammo based on 220 Swift brass. He made me 300 rounds at $2.00 each to justify the cost of the die. They work fine in both rifles.
March 31, 2009
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[email protected] said
I have a deluxe model, #12728. Has a capped pistol grip. Is there any information on this rifle? Also have standard sporting rifle #13570. I had someone, who has unfortunately passed away, make me some ammo based on 220 Swift brass. He made me 300 rounds at $2.00 each to justify the cost of the die. They work fine in both rifles.
Serial #12728 is not in the book but that does not mean anything other than it is not listed in his survey.
You need to get a Factory Search done.
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