https://jamesdjulia.com/item/53091-219-402/
This one is surely one of the most fabulous 1895’s extant. Given most of his other extravagant pieces sold (and many sold very high – double or more auction estimate) I’m curious what happened with this one. I know members from here were at the auction. Just no interest? I like 1895’s a lot but notice they seem to suffer in popularity.
Steve, Twenty years ago I new of two very large high dollar 95 collectors, they bid against each other and supported the market. Their collections were huge and only collected quality. The last one passed 10 or 12 years ago, I was offered a chance to partner on the guns. Boy am I glad I didn’t. His guns went to Cabela’s. They disbursed them to their stores and flooded the market, this took place at the same time as the collectable market slowed. 95’s have not completely recovered. Maybe Julia’s est. was high? There’s a old saying at Tulsa “If there’s one of a rare gun at the show it sells, if there’s two neither sells”. T/R
TR said
Bert, At the time I asked questions and was advised by people I respected, “bad idea”. This collection was big, but not that big. T/R
All very interesting. It’s rare that I come here and don’t end up advancing my knowledge.
TR – yes, you sure made the right decision on passing.
Bert – 450 takedown M1895’s – that is amazing. Very interesting to know. Were they eventually all released into the market? I don’t ever recall noticing a glut of ’95 takedowns.
With M95’s, the typical Winchester theme (e.g. under-barrel mounted tubular magazine that can be traced forward from the M1866 through 73, 76, 86, 94) is not present. I believe that impacts its desirability in the minds of many. I suspect if Teddy Roosevelt had never used the M1895, we would see even less popularity.
Steve,
I do not know what became of that collection. He used to call me once or twice a month to discuss the Model 1895, and then he suddenly stopped calling more than 10-years ago. When we first started talking to one another about the Model 1895, he was still of the belief that Winchester only made just over 800 Model 1895 Take Downs (as Madis had published), and he was still trying to buy everyone one of them he could get his hands on. I finally convinced him (at least I believe I did), that Winchester manufactured way more than just 800 some-odd Take Downs. He had them in every caliber/cartridge.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
1 Guest(s)
