This is a scarce example of an Antique Pre-1898 2nd Model 1895 Winchester Sporting rifle in 30-40 Krag w/28" barrel, and crescent buttplate.  Serial number is in the 6100 range and was made in 1897. Only serial numbers under 19,782 qualify as Antique under Federal law...but of those, even fewer were Sporting Models with scalloped frames.  Most Antique 1895's (about 10,000) are 2nd Model Muskets ordered by the US Gov't and Colorado National Guard...while another 5,000 were the early 1st Models with the notable flatside frames.  That only leaves about 4-5000 2nd Models that were sold to the public in sporting configurations.  Today, these antique 2nd Model rifles are numerically scarcer than even the elusive Savage Model 1895.  Of course, there were many more 2nd Model 1895's made after 1898...you just don't see the early ones.

Overall condition grades to NRA Antique Very Good Plus with 25% thinning original blue on the receiver and 50% faded blue on the magazine box.  No extra holes or modifications as so many 1895's are found with those infamous screw holes for installing Lyman receiver sights going right through the patent dates on the left side of the frame.  Fortunately, the owner of this rifle was more conservative and kept it intact and unmodified with its original iron sights.   Bolt shows 60% original blue with strong traces of tempered fire blue on the extractor. The barrel blue has mostly worn away to a smooth grey/brown patina with portions of age darkened blue to be found in the more protected areas.  Sharp edges and markings throughout.  The frame shows early patent dates from Nov. 1895 up to August 17, 1897....so this gun pre-dates the next patent added which would have been around Jan. 1898.  Very good screws throughout.  Very Good wood that is solid with no cracks or repairs.  Ebony inlay located on the schnabel of the forend is still intact.  Original sights include the standard rear buckhorn sight and ramp front sight with German silver blade.  Nice action and a good+ bore with strong rifling.

Item# 0800

SOLD