Prev Back to Thumbs Next

Photo From: TJ Parmele - Album: Rifles--Classic Military

Description: 1895 Winchester Rifle chambered in the venerable 7.62X54R

Between 1915 and 1917 approximately 294,000 M1895's were manufactured for the airforce and police units of the Russian Empire, accounting for about 70% of total production of the rifles prior to 1932 when the M1895 was discontinued. Chambered in 7.62×54mmR, these versions were unusual for a lever-action rifle in that they also had a charger guide, allowing the M1895 rifle to be reloaded by the same charger clips used in the Mosin–Nagant bolt-action rifle. Rifles made for the Russian contract had a longer than standard barrel fitted with an extended forestock and bayonet lug. Initial delivery of the rifles was delayed because adaptation to Russian standards, particularly the charger guide, proved more difficult than expected. Additional delays resulted from incompetent and obstructive Russian inspectors, who refused to use Winchester-made test gauges despite no Russian gauges existing, insisted that test ammunition be shipped from Russia (instead of using readily available Winchester ammunition made on Russian contract), and often rejected rifles for irrelevant flaws such as wood grain in the stock being insufficiently straight.

Uploaded: 5/10/2025 by TJ Parmele