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. 

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

Congrats and thanks for sharing! 

That's a very nice early Flat side M-1895 rifle. As you're well aware of, and as you know their hard to find with that much finish on the metal. It's hard to find a nice flat side in any caliber. 

As far as the pics. go yeah I can understand the picture comments, but we've seen a lot worse. You can always throw more up on this thread at a later date when time allows and the weather is cooperative! You wouldn't hurt anyone's feelings.

Tony

An old journalism professor, lecturing would-be photojournalists a long time ago, said the most elaborate studio lighting setup-- soft boxes, hair lights, reflector sheets, backgrounds, you name it -- are essentially trying to emulate open shade in the morning or early evening. 

Zebulon said
Rick, 
Congratulations on a very nice acquisition. Handsomely kept and early in the life of the model. I have only seen a few flatsides. Inside gun photography is a real chore without a fair amount of equipment.  I struggle with it. When you get a nice but overcast day, could you take it outside and show us some more? 
A great catch.
  

Thanks Bill and will do. It’s been pretty warm and sunny here the last few days and not a cloud in the sky. I just couldn’t get my phone to adjust to all the lighting outside that was showing so took them inside.