Book Review: 'Winchester Model 1895–Last Of The Classic Lever Actions'

posted on July 8, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
win95.jpg

The collecting community has eagerly been waiting for a treatise on the Winchester Model 1895 for at least two generations. The first question that comes to my mind is what took so long?

The Model 1895 has been a classic rifle ever since President Theodore Roosevelt championed it during his 1910 African safari and again in 1915 when he went to Brazil to find the source of the Amazon. But, as they say, good things are well worth the wait, and Winchester Model 1895: Last Of The Classic Lever Actions by Rob Kassab and Brad Dunbar clearly qualifies.

With more than 400 high-quality color illustrations, this is a book that every collector and firearm historian will want to have. In addition to chapters on the development and evolution of the ’95, there are full chapters on special topic areas on the 1895’s history written by noted authors such as Ray Giles, Mark Jones, Tom Quigley, Daniel Shuey, American Rifleman Field Editor Bruce Canfield, American Rifleman Contributing Editor Michael Carrick and NRA National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Philip Schreier.

This book also delves into all the various markings, finishes and special orders that one would encounter in the world of collecting the various iterations of the Model 1895.

There is a chapter that describes and illustrates what goes on behind the scenes at the Cody Firearms Museum, where the Winchester factory records are stored and letters confirming the factory configuration of the rifles as they left New Haven are written. This information alone is worth the price of the book.

Illustrated with many never-before-seen photos of the ’95 being used around the world, this book is a welcome addition to my library. The volume has 432 pps., costs $80 plus shipping and is available through Buffalo Cove Publishing LLC; (561) 750-6988; 1895book.com.

Latest

springfield armory kuna
springfield armory kuna

Springfield Kuna: A PDW For The Masses

Small, yet fierce, the namesake of Springfield Armory’s latest large-format pistol is a revered forest dweller in the land of its Croatian manufacturing partner, HS Produkt. The new Kuna is poised to be just as welcome in America.

The Armed Citizen® June 30, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Book Review: Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers Of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler

The result of a decade of research, Clockwork Basilisk is a comprehensive, two-volume history of the rare revolvers that preceded the development of the well-known Colt guns of the 1830s.

Preview: 1791 Gunleather Cobra Gun Belt 01

Employing the same rugged and rigid 0.25"-thick American steerhide as 1791 Gunleather’s original Gun Belt 01, the new Cobra Gun Belt 01 offers enhanced ease of use by taking advantage of a high-strength Cobra quick-latch/release buckle.

NRA CEO Hamlin and President Bachenberg Hold First Virtual Townhall

In the interests of transparency, NRA CEO and EVP Doug Hamlin and NRA President Bill Bachenberg held a live Townhall event, where both answered direct questions from NRA members.

Benelli Adds New 28-Gauge Models to Super Black Eagle 3 Line

Benelli initially introduced the 28-ga. chambering to its Super Black Eagle 3 line in 2022, but this year, the company added three new models tailored specifically to hunters.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.