Beater Winchester 1895

[Guncase]

I just bought this model 95 .35 WCF. I guess I felt sorry for it. The bore is completely unusable, and the bolt face doesn't look too good, and it is missing the ejector and part of the buttplate. The stocks have multiple chips out of them, the butt stock is cracked, and there is rust everywhere. Other than that, it's in pretty good shape lol! I would like to re-line the barrel or replace it, but a re-bore would probably be more economical. I think I can handle the stock repairs and the buttplate is available in reproduction. I can also get a repro. ejector, but I might be money ahead to find a different bolt.
Comments and parts sources please.

[fordwannabe]

REplace as little as possible...that baby has real character. Oh I love a well used old gun Sigh. Tom

[olyinaz]

Good luck on your parts hunt but I tend to agree with the other fella - replace just enough to get her shooting again. Great looking old gun!

Best,
Oly

[Thunder50]

Go for a Rebore from Jesse Ocumpaugh and turn it into either a 38-72 (He converted a Browning for me), but you will have to handload, or go for a 405 Win, for which you can get factory ammo for the thing. Call and talk to Jesse, he might be able to find parts and get it working for you. The rebore/rechambering is $225 and he had to do a little action work on my Browning, which was an extra $60. He does a good job.

[Hobie]

That seems to me to be a good candidate for a restoration. At least that was my FIRST thought. Mike Hunter immediately came to mind.

So, why am I wrong?

[rjohns94]

I like character, but Mike Hunter would add to the character of that rifle. I'm in agreement with Hobie. Nice find. Let us know what you decide.

[RIHMFIRE]

That seems to me to be a good candidate for a restoration. At least that was my FIRST thought. Mike Hunter immediately came to mind.

So, why am I wrong?

you aint!
that would be a good restoration project

[Kansas Ed]

I have a 38-72, and there are enough reloading reasons for it not to be an option IMO. I would opt for the .405 if I were you. I'm not sure if Mike Hunter does '95's or not, but the quality of his work has been well documented on this board. He is an outstanding artisan of the craft.

One other thing...have it lettered and see if the front sling was an original option. That configuration sure looks like a gun that spent some time in India or Africa.

Ed

[Malamute]

That's a cool old gun, it really does have a lot of character. I think the 405 rebore would be a good option, or Mike Hunter could make you a new barrel in 35 cal. If you have it rebored, I'd have Mike do the caliber marking so it looks original, rather than the hardware store stamps that many gunsmiths use. I believe Mike can freshen up the other barrel markings also, even if you don't do a full restore.

If you end up restocking it, I'd be interested in the old butt stock. I believe it will fit my 1894 project.

[Guncase]

I would like to keep it as original as possible, so I will try the re-line option first. If that can't be done, I'll have Jesse re-bore it, or I'll replace the barrel with a new .35. I think I can fix the vise jaw marks on the barrel and the pitting isn't too deep, but it will need draw filing and polishing if I decide to rust blue it. If I do that, I'll probably have to have it re-marked. The other big probhlem is the bolt. The face is quite pitted, but I might be able to do something with it. When time permits, I'll dissassemble it and make the decision. At this point, I don't think I will be ruining any value in trying to restore it as it's already too far gone. I'm not sure about the sling swivels (there is also a hole on the bottom of the buttstock), The front swivel doesn't "say" Winchester to me, but I am no expert. I would like to get the factory letter, but right now I need to put the money in the bore to get it shooting. My main goal is to get it hunting again, I'll decide later whether or not to completely restore/refinish. Keep the comments coming, I need all the help I can get.

[Malamute]

The front sling swivel looks original to me, from other 95's I've seen. Some were sweated on, and some had a small dovetail block set in the barrel I believe. I may be mistaken, but I looked into it when I had a Browning 95 and wanted to put original type sling mounts on it. Try to lay hands on a copy of "The Winchester Book" by Madis if you can (your library may have a copy, or be able to get a copy on interlibrary loan), it has a lot of detail information about things like sling mounts.

I think a reline on that size and pressure level barrel may not work, but I could be mistaken. A new barrel from Mike Hunter may be a workable option, especially if you can find a 35 cal blank reasonably for him to work with. I had him do a 38-55 barrel for me, it was a take-off barrel from a Whitworth 375 H&H, so it had the nice .375" groove diameter, instead of the oversize bores most 38-55's seem to have. The barrel "blank" was basically free.

[2ndovc]

poor Old Girl.

Why do people let bad things happen like that?

I love my .35WCF.

jb

[Rusty]

I'd be a pure sucker for a .30-40 in a carbine, but that's me.

[Sixgun]

IF that was my gun, well, lets see here.mmmmmmmmmmm
Option #1--get it shooting, but.......if your going to reline/rebore, well, thats going to set you back at least $300 and the rest of the gun will look like it did before. If your going to sink $300 in it, you might as well restock it with the many replacement stocks that are for sale. Then a days worth of sanding/polishing up the receiver and related parts, along with a rust blue will finish it up. I bet the bolt will be OK.

Option#2--same as above but rebarrel with a 30-40 barrel or '06. The 35 is great (I shoot and reload for it) but brass, dies, jacketed bullets, etc. ain't cheap. A 30-40 would be my choice.--No brainer---its a super cartridge with the 220 cast bullet.

Option #3--I don't know your finances but the easiest/cheapest way to put that gun back in business is to buy an original barrel for that gun. Beings that the gun is a somewhat beater, it ain't nothing to find a cut down 30-40 barrel for under a $100. Do the stock as best you can along with some basic hand polishing of the metal and a quick rust blue. ------------Sixgun

[fordwannabe]

Hobie, your not wrong we just like different things(some of the same things too IIRC). People pay d
Doug T a ton of money to make their old guns look new and I apprerciate it's what they want to do with their guns, not for me. When I see an oldie like that I think every nick ,bruise, scar, dent, ding is a story somewhere, but thats just me But that is the cool part this hobby is big enough for all different interest and if we really want to be accurate it ain't our gun so we are just giving suggestions anyway. I hope he does what makes him the happiest. Tom