Winchesler-Lee 6mm Model 1895 Navy Rifle

[varifleman]

Jim; at $850 I think I'll wait for a more reasonably priced one or a repro if it ever shows up!

[browningautorifle]

I couldn't believe how much he thought he wanted for it...no one would possibly pay that...would they?

[varifleman]

I couldn't believe how much he thought he wanted for it...no one would possibly pay that...would they?

Hi Jim; the seller accepted the "best offer" which wasn't specified in the listing. Be interesting to know what it sold for.

[browningautorifle]

I'd just settle for the clip my friend offered me. I since saw three bayonets for sale on one website. Anywayzzz, I had the sporter and even though the barrel was less than stellar, shot it regularly. One day I shot 40 rds, which must have been the most ammo shot through one in 50 years. I had bullets disintegrate in flight, some struck the gong with all the authority of a .30 cal. When they came out, they would have done the job quite well. Just a bit of a nightmare of delicate parts. The small S shaped spring for instance...the bolt lock upon firing too...

[rayg]

I bought a nice Navy contract WLN a few years ago and it had this in the butt. It's not a US contract one but apparently a Winchester one made for their civilian military and sporter models as it is slightly different, Ray

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[varifleman]

I bought a nice Navy contract WLN a few years ago and it had this in the butt. It's not a US contract one but apparently a Winchester one made for their civilian military and sporter models as it is slightly different, Ray

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Ray, thanks for posting your rifle. I see you have the bandoleer and pull-thru cleaner; I'll have to see if any of those show up at prices I can afford!

[rayg]

Believe me nothing is cheap for these rifles. The bandoliers do come up for sale once in awhile but not at give away prices, usually some what over a $1,000, depending on condition and a lot higher with the suspenders. But the hardest thing to find, and if you do, again big bucks and that is an original Winchester made sling. One dealer about five years ago had two of the slings for sale for over $2,200 each, I called to see if it was a misprint in his catalog and he said no, and also that they were already sold. I then put a WTB add and was able to get one for about 1/3 of that, but still not cheap. Bayonets run about $600.
Recently I was lucky and traded a guy a Japanese sling for a sling for a 1895 Russian contract rifle he had. It's basically the same sling as for the Lee Navy and 95 Winchester rifles but was contracted out later by Winchester for the Russian rifle contract and is not the quality of the Winchester made slings.
The Winchester made sling has the Winchester proof star on it and photos #2 & 3 are of the Russian contract sling. You can see the difference in the stitching quality also the Russian ones have a patent date. Keep checking the WTS and dealer internet sites as you can find sleepers. Ray

[varifleman]

Per the Winchester Repeating Fire Arms letter the serial number was applied to the on July 22, 1898; Caliber: N; received in warehouse on August 12, 1898 and shipped from warehouse on August 20, 1898; Order number 2689. It just missed the Spanish-American War but may have served during the Relief of the Foreign Legations in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 or during the Philippine Insurrection 1899-1902. I'll have to see if I can track down the USN or USMC ship/unit which eventually received this rifle.

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Ray; thanks for the photos of your accoutrements; I'll keep looking for some for my rifle.

[butlersrangers]

Some of my favorite related Winchester-Lee photos: U. S. Sailors in 1899 N. Y. C. Dewey Parade, N. C. Twining (Inspector and Manual Co-Author), manual fold-out page, and Jim Curlovic display at recent Michigan Antique Arms Show.

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[gsimmons]

Was that the expo centre in Novi? I used to live down the street in Northille. Great show used to find all kinds of good stuff.