Lot 38: Winchester 1895 Rifle 405 WCF

This rifle was manufactured in 1906, as stated in the included factory letter and is chambered for the very desirable .405 Winchester cartridge. Theodore Roosevelt had a high regard for the .405 Model 1895 and used them during his African safari and numerous other hunting trips. He wrote, "The Winchester stocked and sighted to suit myself is by all odds the best weapon I ever had, and now use it almost exclusively." This example has a beaded blade front sight and an adjustable sporting rear sight. The caliber and nickel steel markings are on the barrel along with the Winchester Proof which is at the breech and on the receiver. The receiver is also marked with the two-line address and patent markings on the left side and the model designation on the upper tang. It is fitted with a smooth straight grip stock with ebony insert in the Schnabel tip forearm and red rubber recoil pad. The factory letter states the rifle was shipped from the warehouse February 21, 1906.

Very fine overall. 75% of the original blue finish remains. The rifle displays areas of high edge wear, and thinning finish on many of the moving and commonly handled parts, and is consistent with age and normal usage. The receiver and lever also show signs of mild spotting and very light pitting. All markings are sharp and legible. The wood is fine with attractive color and grain. It does display scattered moderate pressure indentations throughout as well as some small hairline cracks present on the right face of the buttstock just forward of the recoil pad. Mechanically excellent.