Manufactured in 1897 with the two-line Winchester address on the barrel, "30 U.S." at the breech, model designation on the upper tang, patent dates behind the trigger, and serial number on the lower tang. It is fitted with a pinned beaded blade front sight (bead absent), folding ladder rear sight, and a later added Lyman receiver mounted peep sight. It is mounted with a replacement forearm with finger grooves, no forend cap, and sling and stacking swivels. The straight grip stock has a sling swivel and trapdoor carbine buttplate (cleaning rod not included). The included factory letter lists the musket in .30 caliber with "Midrange and Wing gauge sights" when received at the warehouse on 6 March 1897 and shipped on 27 August 1897. Also includes a leather sling. Only the first 5,000 Model 1895s (rifles, carbines and muskets) were manufactured with the desirable flatside receiver. It is unknown how many first model muskets were manufactured, but it seems likely that only a small number have survived today, especially in the United States. Most of the flatside muskets made it into the hands of Mexican Federal and Revolutionary forces with very few having returned from Mexico (see George Madis' "The Winchester Book," page 460). These flatside first model muskets are the rarest of any of the Model 1895 configurations.

Fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a mottled grey and brown patina. The oversize replacement forearm is fine with minimal handling evidence, and the buttstock is very fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A true rarity in Winchester collecting, the flatside Model 1895 musket is missing from even the most advanced collections.