Hey guys ,
I am trying to learn information on this gun . It is a 1895 Flatside in 38-72 with a 26″ octagon barrel , serial # 1378, ebony tip in forearm. These are the only pictures available , sorry. Just a interesting gun being a flatside and early production . I know condition is every thing still a neat gun. Wondering what you guys would value it at?
Thanks for any information Bruce
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Aim Small ,Miss Small
Bruce,
It’s a fairly scarce and early gun in a desirable configuration. Their were approximately 5,000 flatsides made and octagon barrels were only offered as an option in the 38-72 and 40-72 calibers, so this is a fairly scarce combination.
Unfortunately, the condition of this rifle hurts its value. It’s hard to evaluate from the pictures. It does look like it has been used pretty hard, but not too badly abused. However, the close-up of the right side shows some deep dings and gouges in the wrist and comb area. The rest of the wood looks pretty good, but it’s hard to see clearly.
The hammer should be case colored and it appears to be blued. It is likely a replacement from a later 1895.
Of course, the bore condition will have a serious impact on the value. This is an original black powder chambering, so there is a good chance that the bore is less than pristine.
All things considered, I would value it at around $1,800-$2,000 if it has a decent bore and around $1,500 with a poor bore. It may go a little higher at auction if two bidders are desperate to put an octagon barreled flatside in their collection.
Mark Douglas said
The hammer should be case colored and it appears to be blued. It is likely a replacement from a later 1895.
Hi Mark,
At what timeframe did Winchester change from case-colored hammers to blued hammers on the 1895? I once had a real nice 1895 in 30 US from 1901 that had a blued hammer. I always wondered if it was correct or not. I ended up trading that 1895 off with a group of other Winchesters for an 1894 deluxe takedown 38-55.
Thanks,
Don
deerhunter said
Hi Mark,
At what timeframe did Winchester change from case-colored hammers to blued hammers on the 1895? I once had a real nice 1895 in 30 US from 1901 that had a blued hammer. I always wondered if it was correct or not. I ended up trading that 1895 off with a group of other Winchesters for an 1894 deluxe takedown 38-55.
Thanks,
Don
Hi Don,
That’s a very good question. I haven’t seen it published and was wondering myself, so I went through my collection to try to narrow it down. It’s hard to tell for sure on some of the lower condition guns, but this is what I found:
SN 61003 (mfd. 1907) definitely has a case colored hammer, while SN 92979 (mfd. 1914) definitely has a blued hammer.
I believe SN 65659 (1909) is case colored and I believe SN 78173 (1912) is blued. The hammers aren’t in good enough condition to tell for sure.
If my little unscientific survey is to be believed, 1895’s didn’t have blued hammers until at least 1907, probably later.
Mark
Thanks Mark. With your input, I’m guessing the trigger had been replaced at some point. I found some old photos that I posted to the 1895 survey on this forum. It’s the 15th post down on page 3 of the 1895 survey thread. What do you think? Sometimes I wish I still had that old rifle…
Don
deerhunter said
Thanks Mark. With your input, I’m guessing the trigger had been replaced at some point. I found some old photos that I posted to the 1895 survey on this forum. It’s the 15th post down on page 3 of the 1895 survey thread. What do you think? Sometimes I wish I still had that old rifle…
Don
I have several 1895’s made near the turn of the century and all have case colored hammers, so I’d tend to agree that yours was replaced. It’s just hard to imagine why when you look at the condition of the rifle. I certainly doubt it was worn out. That’s a very nice rifle with vivid case colors showing on the trigger link.
Sounds like it went to a good cause, though. It seems like I’ve seen a picture of the 1894 deluxe 38-55 it helped you acquire and commented on how much I admire it.
Thanks Mark. I appreciate your expert opinion. That 1895 had a pristine bore, too, so I have no idea why the hammer would be replaced unless it was swapped by a collector to make another correct?? Who knows… Anyway, it did go to a good cause. That 1894 deluxe is now the centerpiece of my collection.
Don
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