A nice example one of the very earliest known 2nd Model 1895 Rifles in existence. This rifle shipped on the very first day Winchester released their improved "New System" (aka 2nd Model w/scalloped frame) from their warehouse on November 22, 1897. It has the serial number 4930 and was one of only 11 guns released from Winchester that day shipping to 5 separate order numbers on that day.  This rifle was first of its kind and how most Winchester enthusiasts ovisualize what a Model 1895 is supposed to look like.  I can't imagine how modern this must have looked to someone opening up the crate and seeing one for the first time back in 1897.

Here is how this rifle letters from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center which houses the original Winchester factory records:

• Model 1895
• Rifle
• 30 Caliber
• "NEW SYSTEM"
• Received in warehouse 11/22/1897
• Shipped from warehouse 11/22/1897
• Order No. 23306

(it shipped with one other rifle)

By almost all appearances, this is a standard sporting rifle in 30-40 Krag with 28" a round barrel but with a couple of interesting twists.  In fact, this is 5th revision we've had to make to the description as we keep finding out more and more interesting things about this rifle.  

So first and foremost, I guess some of you may asking,  "What's the difference between a 1st and 2nd Model "New System" Model 1895 anyway?"  Well, the 1st Model 1895 Flatside is generally accepted by collectors as serial numbers 1 through 5000 with a few stragglers in later ranges. They have slab-sided frames with 2 piece magazines, one-piece levers, and some other small features. They are probably more similar in appearance to John Browning's original patent model. In case you haven't seen one in a while and want to know what a Flatside looks like, here is a link to a nice one we sold a year or two ago in our previously sold section.  This one is just about 100 serial numbers below our 2nd Model (it is sold and not for sale):

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/winchester-1895-flatside-rifle.htm

The Second model or "New System" as Winchester termed this model in their factory records used a 2-tiered or scalloped-sided frame to reduce weight, a one piece magazine,  and a two-piece lever that with a locking latch.  Winchester built about 420,000 of 2nd Models 1897 to 1930 and its basically the same exact same gun that Browning and Winchester have in recent time began reproducing in Japan. So basically, here is one of the first ones to ship out 110 years ago!  But wait, it gets more interesting than that!  

For starters, standard 2nd Model rifles with antique serial numbers are tough to find...let alone one that shipped on the first day from the factory. In fact, it's hard to appreciate how truly scarce 2nd Model 1895's truly are with antique serial numbers until you try to go out and look for one...and look...and look!!!!  To put things into perspective, there were 426,754 Model 1895's built from 1895 to 1940.  However, only the first 19,871  Model 95's qualify as true Antique rifles under Federal law that were built prior to the year 1899.  Of those, roughly the first 5,000 were 1st Model Flatside rifles.  OK, that leaves us with 14,871 remaining 2nd Models but of those, most were built in 1898 in the Musket configuration as part of a US Gov't  contract for 10,000 during the Spanish American War.  That leaves us with only 4000 2nd Model Rifles and probably a very small number of carbines.  That makes these about numerically equivalent to finding a scarce early Model 1866 with a Henry-marked barrel.  Here is a little more info about early 1895's that you probably already know.   Early 95's only came initially 3 calibers...the black powder 38-72 and 40-72 with 26" barrels and the Smokeless round adopted by the US Gov't known as the 30-40 Gov't Krag with a 28" barrel.  The .303 British followed in 1898 w/28" barrels while the .35 Win and .405 were introduced around 1903/4 w/24" barrels.  Finally, the Government 30-03 and 30-06 were introduced in their respective years...1903 and 1906.

OK, OK, its interesting because its 1st day shipped and its a scarce antique....so what?  Well, here is where this gun gets really fascinating.  This rifle is so early that it has some markings that as far as we know are completely undocumented to collectors.  On 2nd Models, its well known that the Winchester Address and Patent dates are found on the left side of the frame.  This was smart....Winchester got almost all their information out on this gun with a single roll die whereas 1st Model Flatsides had to use extra roll dies with the Winchester address on the barrel and patent in of all places,  the trigger plate.  This is the way its supposed to be...even the Bible of all books, the Winchester Book by the late George Madis describes these markings in these places.  I only had a few conversations with Mr. Madis but I'm sure he would have been excited to have seen this gun because it breaks all the rules.  

This is the only 2nd Model we've seen to have a barrel address in addition to standard receiver markings. At first we thought this rifle just had a 1st Model barrel as are the only 1895's that are supposed to have the barrel address.  Afterall, this wasn't uncommon for Winchester to use barrels from older models and variations on hand for newer models. e.g. Model 1892 carbines that used Model 1873 barrels....or very early 1st Model 73 rifles that used 66 barrels that had to have the rear sights placed backwards to fit in the 1866 rear sight dovetail (both of these are discussed in the Madis book). BOY WE WERE WRONG!  This rifle doesn't just have a Winchester barrel address like the first model, it also the 1895 and August 17. 1897 "New System" patent dates!!!  Its completely unique and not the same marking at all. 

For the purpose of comparison, here a link to what a 1st Model barrel marking looks like taken from a Flatside just 100 serial numbers lower than ours in the 4800 serial range:

www.antiquearmsinc.com/images/winchester-1895-flatside-rifle/winchester-1895-flatside-rifle-13.jpg

Here is the link to the barrel markings of our 2nd Model rifle in the 4900 range:

www.antiquearmsinc.com/images/1895-winchester-rifle/1895-winchester-rifle-14.jpg

As you can see from the links above, 1st Models just have JUST a barrel address...their patent dates are located on the trigger housing...and they are dated Nov. 5 and 12, 1895.  This 2nd model has both the address and the newer patent dates which means Winchester had originally planned to put both their model and patent info on top of the barrel on their improved version of the 1895.  They obviously changed their minds and decided it would be easier to put the markings on the left side of the frame and leave the barrel blank but not before a few barrels got marked this way.  So this rifle has it in both places....the Address and Patent dates on the left side of the frame (just like it should) and the same information on the barrel using a roll die that was probably scrapped before anyone ever knew it existed.  This rifle is living proof that such a unique roll die for the New System 1895 existed and was probably marked on just a handful of rifles. 

Finally, here are some specifics pertaining to the condition of this rifle: Overall condition is NRA Antique Fine+ to Excellent with the 80% original blue on the frame and 95% on the barrel.  Case colors on Hammer and trigger plate have most faded to silver with some darker mottling of original colors still present.  Original sights include the standard rear buckhorn sight and ramp front sight.  The one thing you have to watch out for on Model 1895's are extra holes on the side of the frame where hunters used Lyman receiver sights.  Thankfully, this rifle has no extra holes in the metal or the wood. Near excellent wood with nice wood to metal fit and no cracks.  Bore is Fine with very strong land and grooves and no pits.  Its a little frosty but a very presentable bore.  NO Rings or Bulges.  This is a good straight Model 1895 and one of the earliest 2nd Models in existence. Over the years, we've talked with a lot of Winchester collectors who believe it or not, don't even have a Model 1895 for their collection.  If you ever wanted to fill that gap in your collection, here is one of the earliest and most unique examples you will ever see...a 1st day shipped New System 1895 with an Antique serial number with an unique and extremely rare redundant barrel and receiver markings. 

Item# 0351

SOLD