The outbreak of World War I in August of 1914 seemed to have taken the Russian Empire by surprise. Though they had a standing army of over one million prior to the war, and quickly added more than three million conscripts, they remained completely incapable of supplying such vast formations with arms, ammunition, and equipment. These shortages drove the tsar to searching for arms and supplies in almost any form, from nearly anywhere they could be acquired. The Russian government approached nearly all major American arms companies, including Colt for Government Model pistols, Remington and New England-Westinghouse for Mosin-Nagant rifles, and striking a deal with Winchester for 300,000 Model 1895 muskets manufactured to Russian specifications and chambered in 7.62x54 R. By the time of the of the Russian Revolutions of February and October 1917, Winchester had virtually completed the contract. Many of these rifles were issued to Finnish and Baltic troops and saw hard use on the Eastern Front of World War I, through both revolutions of 1917, the civil war that followed, and some were shipped to Spain for use during their civil war of the 1930s, leaving relatively few surviving examples on the American market in any condition and even fewer in exceptional condition like this example. This example was manufactured in 1916, the receiver having the distinguishing charger guides mounted on either side. The standard Winchester markings are on the left of the receiver, upper tang, the serial number is on the lower tang, and Russian acceptance mark on the right of the receiver. There is an import mark on the receiver. The receiver ring has a Winchester oval proof and the "7.62/M.M." caliber marking. It is fitted with a pinned brass blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with a musket length forearm and upper handguard, as well as a straight grip stock with Russian inspection stamp on the right and a trapdoor military pattern buttplate (cleaning rod not included). Includes a correct Winchester marked bayonet with scabbard and frog, as well as a brown leather sling (partially torn).

Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish, well above average for these Russian contract 1895s, with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown patina. The wood is also very fine with some scattered minor handling marks and crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. One would search a long time to find a better example of a Russian contract Winchester Model 1895 musket!