The Rangers were bold but intelligent men who thought it made more sense to deal with an enemy at 200 yards when possible. The 95 was superior in that respect to any other quick firing repeater, at least until the automatic Remington Model 8 came along. Even then,  the 30/32/35 rimless series could not match the external ballistics of the Krag, much less the 30 Govt '06. 

The Ranger in the photo seems confident and happy with his 1895 carbine. Some of them actually preferred the full length rifle. Further proof of the historical importance of Browning's last lever action. [excerpted from Venturino's lever action book, Page 257.]

https://www.buffaloarms.com/38-72-winchester-cases-bertram-ber3872win.html

And if worst came to worst,  somebody could wrap a 405 case with painter's tape for protection, chuck the neck and body into a half-inch drill, and reduce the rim with 60 grit paper, checking constantly with a pre-set caliper. 

Happily, I won't have to struggle with component-finding and modifying to run up 38/72 cartridges.  We can all vicariously enjoy friend Rick's journey through that particular desert and cheer him on while drinking cold beer. 

Unless the Aussies are still making some 38/72 brass, anyone waiting on Starline needs to bring lunch and a lantern, based on my experience with a backorder of .41 Colt brass. To their credit, they honored the backorder just short of its second anniversary. Amex let me know about the fact because I'd gotten frustrated and ordered 250 cases. 

Last time I looked, Hornady 405 brass was available but at scalpers prices.

Zebulon said

Bert H. said
The 38-72 case can be made using a 405 WCF case, but you will need to turn down the rim from .543" to .519".  The case lengths are identical as is the base diameter.  Simply squeeze the neck from .436" down to .397" and reduce the rim diameter.
Bert
  

In the absence of a lathe,  has anyone tried turning down rims with a drill press and a file?  
  

Zeb-

It may be worthwhile to measure the cases and see if the subject 38-72 bolt will handle them. Some older cartridges I'm familiar with the rim dimensions have varied a bit from nominal over the years, especially for non-SAAMI cartridges. I understand SAAMI has specs for the 405 but not the 38-72. OTOH I'd very much prefer to use correct headstamp brass if available.  

Mike

Zebulon said

Bert H. said
The 38-72 case can be made using a 405 WCF case, but you will need to turn down the rim from .543" to .519".  The case lengths are identical as is the base diameter.  Simply squeeze the neck from .436" down to .397" and reduce the rim diameter.
Bert
  

In the absence of a lathe,  has anyone tried turning down rims with a drill press and a file?  
  

Yes, I've done it.  You will be surprised how hard the rim is.  The diameter does not need to be perfectly round but just fit the chamber.  I was working on a set up to use my neck turner to trim the rims but never got it done.  

Bert H. said
The 38-72 case can be made using a 405 WCF case, but you will need to turn down the rim from .543" to .519".  The case lengths are identical as is the base diameter.  Simply squeeze the neck from .436" down to .397" and reduce the rim diameter.
Bert
  

In the absence of a lathe,  has anyone tried turning down rims with a drill press and a file?  

Bert

Rick C said
Bill if I can acquire some reloads, a range report will follow. With the cost of original cartridges, it might be a one shot report 😊
  

Rick-

Good luck finding brass. I understand it's based on the 405 Winchester but Venturino was able to obtain brass from Bertram when he wrote about the 38-72 in "Shooting Leverguns of the Old West". Interestingly, his loaner test gun was an early flatside very much like yours!

Mike

helidriver72 said
Heres the correct info, I’m pretty excited to see that the Lyman model 21 receiver sight letters. I suspected it would since it had the platinum dots on the yardage marks.
 
WINCHESTER MODEL 1895 - SERIAL NUMBER 9304
Serial number applied on June 14, 1898
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 30
Sights: Lyman receiver and front
Received in warehouse on September 06, 1898
Shipped from warehouse on September 09, 1898, Order number 4873
  

That is great news. You.scored a real bargain. It's all right as rain. And shootable, to boot, in a good, useful caliber. For example, the 300 Savage is a fairly flat shooting 30 caliber cartridge for moderate range hunting - say up to around 250 real yards - of big deer. Lots of Elk and Moose have fallen to it and not a few of the big bears. The 30 Krag beats it ballistically, in every way. 

With your kind of luck, you might could hire out as a Casino guide. 

Zebulon said
Is the bullet diameter .375? If so, those shouldn't be too hard to make up. 
You are truly fortunate to have such a grand piece of history and I'm very pleased you got it. 
  

Bill,

Like the 38-55 and the 38-56, the 38-72 WCF was loaded with a .379 diameter bullet.  

Bert

kevindpm61 said
Congrats! What do you intend to do with her? She would make a fine hunting rifle.
  

Oh ya thats my plan! Hopin to add a few more notches👍

I've always thought the flatside '95 was especially sleek and would carry well in a scabbard.  There are those who find the Model 1895 "awkward to carry" - some people would complain about being hung with a new rope. As you well know, like the Savage 1895/99,  Browning's last lever gun for Winchester was way ahead of its time and quickly adopted by lots of notable outdoorsmen and Lawmen. A number of the Texas Rangers were quick to trade in their pistol cartridge carbines at Petmecky's in Austin for a 95 Krag SRC. 

You probably already know this but I just learned WRA and Savage went head to head in a military rifle competition, 95 against 99. Nobody got a contract because of politics. 

When Brad sees this thread, he surely will give us a number of the flatsides produced.  

Do I recall correctly that the 38/72 is based on the shorter 45-70 length case and not the longer 45-90?  Is the bullet diameter .375? If so, those shouldn't be too hard to make up. 

You are truly fortunate to have such a grand piece of history and I'm very pleased you got it.