The included factory letter states this rifle was received in the warehouse September 3, 1897, and was shipped the next day, and confirms the configuration (although it states 45/72 caliber, an obvious clerical error). This rifle has the first model "Flat-Side" receiver. According to author George Madis in "The Winchester Book", "Browning originally made his patent model with a flat sided receiver, and when Winchester produced it, nearly five thousand arms of this model were shipped before introduction of the receiver which was made one-sixteenth of an inch wider, with fluted sides. "(pg. 457). The rifle has a rapid taper, round, 26-inch barrel chambered for the 40-72 W.C.F. cartridge. The barrel has a Lyman "Jack" front sight with colored bead and a blank in the rear sight dovetail. The left side of the receiver is fitted with a Lyman WR-WT rear sight with locking lever. This early sight is roll-stamped with the Lyman trademark followed by "LYMAN'S PAT. JUNE 25.95". The sight lacks the "LYMAN" marking on the bridge found on later model sights. The barrel, receiver, lever, and magazine have a blue finish. The bolt is bright blue. The hammer, trigger, and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and Schnabel forearm are straight grain American walnut with a semi-gloss varnish finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "MANUFACTURED BY THE/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-" in two lines ahead of the rear sight dovetail. The caliber: "40-72 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The upper receiver tang has the first style marking: "WINCHESTER/-MODEL 1895-" in two lines. The November 1895 patent dates are stamped in two lines behind the trigger. The serial number is stamped across the lower tang between the tang screws. The First Model "Flat-Side" 1895 rifles were manufactured for less than two years and are scarce and very desirable.

Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus of the bright original blue finish overall. The barrel has crisp markings. The blue on the "Flat-Side" receiver shows light to moderate handling wear with finish loss on the edges and contact points. The magazine has 70% of the blue finish with the usual cycling wear on the upper portions and edge wear on contact points. The lever has 75% of the blue finish with edge wear on the sides and silvering on the bottom. The hammer has 85% of the original case colors with cycling wear on the lower portions. The crescent buttplate has a smooth silver patina with traces of faded case colors. The stock and forearm remain very fine with a few scattered and very minor handling and storage marks. This is an exceptional example of a scarce and desirable Winchester Model 1895 "Flat-Side" lever action rifle.