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Hi all – I am new to the world of lever actions, as more of a milsurp guy in general. I recently picked up this Winchester 1895 in .30-06 (marked .30 Gov’t-06), which is in fairly rough shape but is appealing in the sense it looks to have had a life well lived. I have a few questions about it and would invite general comments as I am sure to learn something from it. Apologies if these are somewhat basic questions.
Is it worth getting a Cody letter for this gun? The serial number is 415782 which I believe means it was made in 1925, the 2nd last year of .30-06 production (1908-1926?). I wondered if all that the letter will tell me is the year of production.
There are two holes on the left side of the receiver that I assume are for a side-mounted sight of some kind. Does the placement of the holes indicate what type of sight this was? I assume it was added after it left the factory, or were they made with these?
Is it safe to shoot without those sight screws in place and in general are these guns in .30-06 safe? I have seen some discussion previously that seemed to suggested maybe the pre-war guns were not built for the cartridge, but it was resolved after the war? Or that it is perhaps all just hearsay…
Pictures are included below and I believe you can click them to enlarge. I assume there isn’t anything particularly remarkable about this gun but thank you for indulging my questions!
The serial number is much too late to get a CFM letter for it. Unfortunately, the surviving warehouse ledger records end at S/N 59999. S/N 415872 was actually manufactured in October of 1922.
The two empty holes in the left side of the receiver frame were put there to install and Lyman No. 21 or No. 38 receiver mounted peep sight. The fact that the barrel has a dovetail mounted sight indicates that the holes D&T in the receiver were more than likely put there after the fact by someone other than Winchester.
The Model 1895s made for the 30-06 cartridge are frequently found with excessive head space issues. Before attempting to shoot the rifle, it would be wise to have it checked.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said Before attempting to shoot the rifle, it would be wise to have it checked.
Bert
And attach a slip-on rubber recoil pad.
Bert mentioned the excessive head space issues. I believe the 1895’s got that problem from firing high pressure rounds that were developed after WWI. I found that shooting military ’06 ammo and hand loads loaded to about 2700 to 2800 F.P.S. makes the “95 pleasant to shoot and probably will not cause the excessive head space problems to develop. If I am wrong in my theory, no one has yet to correct me. RDB
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