Welcome to in the present day’s Photo of the Day! Right here now we have a second yr manufacturing Winchester Mannequin 1895 manufactured in 1896, certainly one of solely 5,000 made with the distinctive flat-sided receiver earlier than Winchester modified to the curved receiver design. This instance is chambered in .38-72 WCF.
The Mannequin 1895 was John Browning’s last lever-action design for Winchester and the one one utilizing a field journal as a substitute of a tubular journal. This allowed the rifle to soundly chamber pointed spitzer bullets that may have brought about detonations in tubular magazines. The field journal protruded under the inventory, giving the 1895 a particular profile.
Winchester launched the Mannequin 1895 in 1895, initially producing receivers with flat sides. After roughly 5,000 rifles, Winchester modified to a rounded receiver that was stronger and simpler to fabricate. These early flatside receivers are essentially the most collectible variant of the Mannequin 1895. The .38-72 WCF was developed particularly for this rifle, pushing a 275-grain bullet at round 1,900 fps. Winchester designed it as a medium-power cartridge appropriate for deer and comparable recreation. The cartridge by no means achieved the recognition of the .30-40 Krag or .30-06 chamberings that later dominated Mannequin 1895 gross sales.
The barrel has been interval shortened from its authentic size and the entrance sight blade changed, indicating arduous use throughout its working life. These modifications had been frequent on rifles utilized in tough terrain or by trappers and guides who needed a handier bundle. The Mannequin 1895 gained fame when Theodore Roosevelt took one on safari and the U.S. Military ordered 1000’s in navy chamberings.
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“Scarce Second 12 months Manufacturing Vintage Winchester ‘Flatside’ Mannequin 1895 Lever Motion Rifle.” Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/1049/3009/antique-winchester-flatside-model-1895-rifle. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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