Model 1895 Winchester-Lee arrived - pictures

[Rick the Librarian]

I got my Winchester-Lee this morning, and although I'm still looking over (I haven't even STARTED to learn much yet!) but thought you'd like some pictures. I do know it was the second group of 5,000 ordered later in production and is one of the last ones manufactured for the Navy, if I'm not mistaken.

Very few if any markings...inspected by Navy Lt. John N. Jones, that I know.

[Rick the Librarian]

A few more pictures, including a "group portrait of three other rifles from the same period -

1) Model 1896 Krag carbine
2) Model 1896 Krag rifle
3) Model 1895 Winchester 30-40 rifle
4) The Model 1895 Winchester-Lee

[CJCulpeper]

A few more pictures, including a "group portrait of three other rifles from the same period -

1) Model 1896 Krag carbine
2) Model 1896 Krag rifle
3) Model 1895 Winchester 30-40 rifle
4) The Model 1895 Winchester-Lee

They all look great! May I have dibs on the both 1895s when you are down and out in the gutter wondering where you will find the money for one more bottle of Dom Perignon? Of course you could sell the Amazing Technocolor Dream Afghan for big money.

And the front site hood is on backwards. All you need to do is turn it 180. Does the bolt release work correctly? One of mine has a worn bolt release and I have not found a replacement. Looks like I will have to get a new one made.

Are you thinking of a reproduction sling? Maybe?

[Rick the Librarian]

LOL!!

I confess I haven't figured out (or tried to) take the bolt out, so I couldn't answer your question. Was pretty sure the front sight protector was on backwards. I assume you have to loosen or remove the two small screws to take it off?

Yes, looking at a repro (from S&S) lower butt swivel. Got a source for a sling? I read in one of the accounts that the Model 1887 was used on some of the later ones.

The Model 1895 Winchester was a rifle I picked up 3-4 years ago. Not a military rifle, but even the Russian "muskets" ain't cheap. I don't care for the Winchester lever actions, but, for some reason, the Model 1895s have always fascinated me.

[CJCulpeper]

LOL!!

I confess I haven't figured out (or tried to) take the bolt out, so I couldn't answer your question. Was pretty sure the front sight protector was on backwards. I assume you have to loosen or remove the two small screws to take it off?

Yes, looking at a repro (from S&S) lower butt swivel. Got a source for a sling? I read in one of the accounts that the Model 1887 was used on some of the later ones.

The Model 1895 Winchester was a rifle I picked up 3-4 years ago. Not a military rifle, but even the Russian "muskets" ain't cheap. I don't care for the Winchester lever actions, but, for some reason, the Model 1895s have always fascinated me.

There are two ways to open the bolt. One is pulling the trigger on a loaded or empty chamber. The other way is the lower of the two levers on the left side of the receiver. Pushing it down releases the bolt. The other is the bolt stop. This is all spelled out in the Lee Manual.

Original Swing swivel here. Jeez. Do I need to do everything around this place?

I already have a sling for one of my guns. The 1887 sling does not look like the original W-L sling that I got with the low number rifle. Get the repro then you don't have to worry about dinking it up.

That is the reason I bought my 95 Musket. It has a certain cool factor.

[Rick the Librarian]

The Lee manual will be one of my first "additional" purchases. As I'm mechanically all thumbs, I don't like to mess with something I'm unfamiliar - that bolt looks a little imposing, for right now!

A 1895 Musket would be neat, but just a little out of my league, financially. Had to sell two rifles to buy this one.

[CJCulpeper]

The sling swivel is placed in the hole at the front of the hand guard and not in the lower rear position.

Am reseaching a picture of a rifle with the sling in place.

ADDED

Download the Lee Manual and on pdf page 14 for proper configuration.

[CJCulpeper]

The Lee manual will be one of my first "additional" purchases. As I'm mechanically all thumbs, I don't like to mess with something I'm unfamiliar - that bolt looks a little imposing, for right now!

A 1895 Musket would be neat, but just a little out of my league, financially. Had to sell two rifles to buy this one.

No need to purchase. Just down load the two pdfs from forgottenweapons. I own the original commercial handbook.

http://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-c...Lee-manual.pdf
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-c...eehandbook.pdf

Two rifles well spent. You will never go rong with a winchester.

[Rick the Librarian]

Thanks for the tip on the manual download!

[psteinmayer]

I saw the pictures on FB. Indeed a beautiful thing Rick!

[Kragrifle]

To remove the bolt, push down on the tab left top of receiver till it just slides off to the left then pull out the bolt. Interesting rifles, interesting history.

[madsenshooter]

Pricey as they are, I'd simply have to shoot it, if I had one. At least a few times, maybe with cast loads, since I have a few 6mm moulds that aren't doing anything right now.

[rayg]

I shoot a load of 28 grs of 3031 powder with the 6mm bullets in mine. Not a very hot load apparently with probably under 2000 fps. I read that the original load was some were around 26-2800 fps. I wonder what would be a good safe load that would get near that. I tried cast 243 bullets in the rifle but they don't group very well apparently because of the rounded metford rifling does not grip the soft bullet well. I have the same problem my Japanese rifles with Metford rifling. Here's mine with a very rare original sling, Ray

Win-Lee -13.JPGWin-Lee belt email photo-1.jpgWin-Lee sling-2.JPGWin-Lee sling-3.JPGWin-Lee sling-4.JPG

[rayg]

Win-lee sling-5.JPGWin-lee-9.JPGWin-lee-11.JPGWin-lee-12.JPG.jpg

[Rick the Librarian]

There are some rifles that shooting is not an option and this is one - not saying that is best for everyone, but best for me.

Thanks especially for the pictures of the accessories. I'd like a repro lower butt swivel and maybe a repro sling (anyone make those?). However, will probably not go on an active search for much of the rest unless something falls into my lap.