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So, I have always pined for a Winchester 1895 chambered in the classic 405 Winchester. The Roosevelt Safari connection has, of course, been a major part of the intrigue of such a rifle. I often thought that an 1895 with express sights would be a good combination of the workhorse American rifle with a touch of Anglo Africana and besides, I really dislike the looks of the Lyman sight made for the 1895. Too much of an afterthought sighting arrangement and quite bulky looking at that. So, to my surprise, it turns out that I'm not the only one in the last century thinking of such a rifle! Enter this Winchester 1895, chambered in 405 Winchester, with a sight arrangement that is pretty darn close to what I have been pondering for years. I would have, however, had a standing 100m sight if I were to commission the build myself. The sights on the rifle are very British right down to the engraved sight distances on the leaves and the front looks quite like that on some of Westley Richards rifles. There are no British proofs or any indication of who did the sights. The wood is pretty "DeLuxe" looking so a letter from Winchester is probably in order. Maybe they can shed a little light on the work. Oh well, now when carrying this rifle, I can pretend that I am on the African savanna or rocky outcrops right around the time of Roosevelt's 1909 trip (this one was made in 1905). The plains of Colorado can almost double for the African savanna in the right season... Also, while I'm pretending, I can pretend that the "P" pecked into the right side of the action is for Phillip Percival ( I really don't know the meaning of it). Now THAT would be an African connection! |
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Wow, that is very nice. Sure looks like deluxe wood. About 30 years ago I passed on a deluxe 1895 in .405. Probably my biggest regret in not buying a gun. I should have sold several other guns or found some way to raise the money. Oh well, I have enjoyed an 1895 in 30-40, made in 1902, for about 35 years. That's a great find. |
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Whoa...Ben! Nice score. That surely enough is a proper string of express sights, front is in keeping as well. Quick and get a letter off to the museum records guys in Cody. - Mike |
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That's pretty neat. Now to work a load to those sights! |
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hopefully the original winchester load will shot and I think there is enough loading data around now for the 300 grains bullet at 2200 feet per second. |
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Special!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Beautiful rifle. Itīs a one-of-a-kind 1895 Winchester. Thanks for sharing and congratulations with the gun. |
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A wonderful piece of kit would be an understatement there Huvius! It certainly has been kept exceedingly well in over 110+ years, well cared for & loved to be in that condition - pristine in my eyes! Not wrong about the wood, magnificent to say the least! Please let us all know it's history if you can & of course the range report! Congratulations in finding something that means so much to yourself, a family heirloom this one for sure! 93x64mm |
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Great looking rifle Kick myself, about 20 years ago they had one in a local gun shop for sale, a guy had traded it in..were selling it for $600...went back the next day and it was gone..very stupid on my part.. congrats Ripp |
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Ripp I know it don't help you but we all have made mistakes like this in the past. thing's you never realy forget and can't never fogive yourself. |
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looked at a pair at a local gun show last weekend beautiful guns one was 405 and one 3006. the fit and finish looked better than the old ones.wish i had the money for one. |
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Looks like an interesting safari rifle for sure! I never have owned a 95 Winchester. I haven't even shot one. Looks like it would be fun. My closest comparison is my Model 71 Deluxe. However, there's a wide void between the mechanics of the 71 and the 95. Curl |
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The multitude of sights was standard for the South African market, many British single shot rifles had similar TH44 |
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I received the Cody Museum letter and it does shed some light on the rifle. It was received into and shipped from the warehouse on May 16, 1905. Repair and return on April 24, 1906 and again on January 5, 1907. No records of the repair orders exist anymore but the museum representative suggests that it could have been for fitment of the special sights particularly so soon after delivery. If the sights were on the original order, they would have been noted in the records. Good news is that it is an original 405 and the fancy wood is on the original order. Still looking for some brass - everybody seems to be out at the moment - but I did get some dies. |
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Wow some nice rifle. Does look a bit WRish. Now you just need a H&H Royal 500/450 3 1/4 Double to pair like TR took on safari. |
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Huvius, I just came across this post and do admire your .405; congratulations. I have two 1895 .405 and one DR. They can be reloaded to perform as plinkers with 210 grain 41 mag bullets or DG slayers with 300 and 400 grain bullets. Proof below: |
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+ Please report on any progress on shooting to all those express sight blades. I was lucky that my Williams receiver sight setting for a 6 o'clock hold at 100 yards for 300 grain ammo at 2225-2250 fps works great for 400 grain ammo at 2076 fps MV with the front bead covering the desired POI. PS Hornady .405 brass works well in my 1895 .405. |
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H Ammo to go has Hornady ammo (9 boxes right now)at a good price. That will get you shooting and provide brass for loading! https://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/pName/20rds-405-win-hornady-300gr-spire-point-ammo |