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July 23, 2023
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Hi, just joined the forum. I collect Winchester 1895’s in .303. Cal .Just wondering if it was available in the musket version? How many were made? I think it was listed in a 1900 catalogue .
October 29, 2011
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Eric–Do you have the Kassab Dunbar book on the 1895? It has a wealth of information–Bll
October 29, 2011
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Eric–According to Art Pirkle NRA Muskets were made in 303 caliber from 1908 to 1917. Someone will know how many–just be patient. Bill
September 19, 2014
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Most of the models 1895 in the production run cited would be after factory records exist for reference use. Best possibility is if Brad or someone has accumulated enough data to extrapolate and estimate the numbers. But unless they are hiding in Canada or Australia, I think there will be relatively few muskets in .303 Brit caliber. Tim
July 23, 2023
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I have a copy of the Winchester 1895 book, but not much info on the .303 musket. There is a copy of a catalogue from 1900 that shows the musket was available in .303. The only one I found was advertised on gunsinternational.
1895’s in 303 were popular in Canada, hard to find one in excellent condition as they were well used. Hoping to find a musket in 303, it would be my holy grail!
November 19, 2006
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Eric Coleridge said
I have a copy of the Winchester 1895 book, but not much info on the .303 musket. There is a copy of a catalogue from 1900 that shows the musket was available in .303. The only one I found was advertised on gunsinternational.
1895’s in 303 were popular in Canada, hard to find one in excellent condition as they were well used. Hoping to find a musket in 303, it would be my holy grail!
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles—model-1895/winchester-95-musket-303-british-.cfm?gun_id=103265576#md-19
Eric –
The gunsinternational listing your show certainly proved they exist. Did you purchase that one? I’m sure you would prefer one in better condition.
September 19, 2014
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Steve and Eric, Often 1895 muskets when found are in pretty poor shape. For several years there was a US musket offered at Cody and it was made up of about half parts from other muskets and even maybe non US muskets. Another was sold several times at RIA and I just couldn’t stand to spend anything on it as it would not hold cock, or half cock, let alone look decent. Finally got a nice US Musket but it wasn’t cheap. I’ve yet to see a musket in .303 Brit, so one in any kind of original condition is rare, even if it has a couple of replacement parts and is rode hard and put away wet. Unless sales price was stupid, it would make a place holder should a better one come along. For me, rarity trumps condition. Others subscribe to “Condition is everything!”. Tim
November 19, 2006
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tim tomlinson said
Steve and Eric, Often 1895 muskets when found are in pretty poor shape. For several years there was a US musket offered at Cody and it was made up of about half parts from other muskets and even maybe non US muskets. Another was sold several times at RIA and I just couldn’t stand to spend anything on it as it would not hold cock, or half cock, let alone look decent. Finally got a nice US Musket but it wasn’t cheap. I’ve yet to see a musket in .303 Brit, so one in any kind of original condition is rare, even if it has a couple of replacement parts and is rode hard and put away wet. Unless sales price was stupid, it would make a place holder should a better one come along. For me, rarity trumps condition. Others subscribe to “Condition is everything!”. Tim
Tim –
I’ve seen some 1895 muskets over the years and the condition has been, as you suggested, quite poor.
When it comes to 1895’s, a name that should be mentioned is Mark Douglas. Here’s a video from him on the topic of ’95 muskets:
t=387s
Mark also has a video specifically on Russian muskets:
More of interest from Mark:
And of course when Mark opened the vault at the Cinnabar, there’s some real 1895 eye candy:
While I’m at it (for the new members), I can again post a couple photos of the special order ’95 musket I had with a 32 inch barrel. Of added interest was that it had been a one time set up for heel-sighted targeted shooting:
September 19, 2014
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Oh, yes! Can’t forget Mark. He has a VERY nice 1895 Collection. My nice .303 rifle came from him a few years back. My Russian musket is no where as nice as his either, yet better than most. It came from a now dead good friend so will stay with me til my end. Tim
