Winchester 1895 project

[Jessesky]

Hey Guys,

I picked up this 1895 carbine off gunbroker a while back. It was missing the top handguard. Being that replacements are like hens teeth and exorbitantly expensive, I made my own.

I purchased two handguard blanks online (one can be seen next to the rifle). I riveted a couple of Chilean Mauser handguard clips on it. I had to age the wood to match the color, so I beat and scuffed it up with a file. I burnt some paper towel to create soot and rubbed it in the scuffs before I rubbed oil on it. I still need to cold blue the rivets and I think I need to lighten up the color a bit. Thought I’d share.

There is one question I do have. This 1895 is in the saddle ring carbine configuration, however there is no hole for the saddle ring. I can’t figure this one out. Any one have an idea?

 

[LRDGCO]

Hey, that's pretty darn good work right there! Jealous. I hanker for an 1895 in 30-40.

 

[troy fairweather]

if want to match the wood, i use 0000. steel wool soaked in white vinegar for a few days. rub the wood after a few minutes it will turn black. then sand with a fine paper to the color needed use some linseed oil to seal it. i used it on this 1891 when i made the forend on the original stock that someone cut down.

 

[troy fairweather]

i need a 1895 in 35 win.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice work there!

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Cant help you, but it looks like a fun project. Also looks like your doing an exceptional job.

 

[forward observer]

I think I found an explanation for the missing ring mount in my collection of early Winchester catalogs.

I have a few Winchester catalogs from the early 1900's--a few reproductions, but most are original. In looking at a 1916 catalog, they say that the 1895 carbine comes with a sling ring installed (Winchester never called it a saddle ring back then--that is a more recent collector's term) This was also true for the model 92 and model 94 carbines. Then I looked in a later 1932 catalog and it now shows that while the ring was still standard for the model 1892, there would be a small extra charge to add them on both the model 94 and model 95.

Evidently at some point the sling ring was dropped as a standard feature on the two later carbines. All of the illustrations in the catalogs are from the right side of the firearm, so the rings were never visible anyway.

Up until the 1930's one could add or subtract features on just about any model for an extra cost, but that began to gradually change after Olin acquired Winchester in 1930.

If one was not going to be using the carbines from horseback, the rings were a bit pointless anyway. They made noise and caused bluing wear on the receiver if one did not put a leather thong on them or tie them down somehow. People who didn't need them took them off for this reason. The model 94's produced without rings prior to WWII are sometimes referred to as "Eastern" carbines.

The 1895 was officially discontinued in 1936 with the company still taking some special orders up until 1940 probably using up surplus receivers and barrels

Cheers

 

[Jessesky]

I think I found an explanation for the missing ring mount in my collection of early Winchester catalogs.

I have a few Winchester catalogs from the early 1900's--a few reproductions, but most are original. In looking at a 1916 catalog, they say that the 1895 carbine comes with a sling ring installed (Winchester never called it a saddle ring back then--that is a more recent collector's term) This was also true for the model 92 and model 94 carbines. Then I looked in a later 1932 catalog and it now shows that while the ring was still standard for the model 1892, there would be a small extra charge to add them on both the model 94 and model 95.

Evidently at some point the sling ring was dropped as a standard feature on the two later carbines. All of the illustrations in the catalogs are from the right side of the firearm, so the rings were never visible anyway.

Up until the 1930's one could add or subtract features on just about any model for an extra cost, but that began to gradually change after Olin acquired Winchester in 1930.

If one was not going to be using the carbines from horseback, the rings were a bit pointless anyway. They made noise and caused bluing wear on the receiver if one did not put a leather thong on them or tie them down somehow. People who didn't need them took them off for this reason. The model 94's produced without rings prior to WWII are sometimes referred to as "Eastern" carbines.

The 1895 was officially discontinued in 1936 with the company still taking some special orders up until 1940 probably using up surplus receivers and barrels

Cheers

That would make sense, my particular one is manufactured in 1903. Falls into that timeline. I’ve heard of the eastern carbine for a 94 but never connected the dots

 

[forward observer]

That would make sense, my particular one is manufactured in 1903. Falls into that timeline. I’ve heard of the eastern carbine for a 94 but never connected the dots

If produced in 1903 then my guess would be that the buyer requested no ring since he didn't need it thus making it a minor special order. Of course, people (including myself) who have no practical use for them in this day and age still want them---I guess just for the nostalgic old timey look. If I being were honest, I'd admit they tend to be a nuisance and I haven't been on a horse in over 40 years.

Nice job on your handguard refit by the way.

Cheers