- Location
- New Brunswick
I would like to know where and by whom, the 1895 Winchester was used as a military rifle in .303 British caliber. I want to verify if it qualifies for an upcoming military rifle shoot.
1895 Winchester military use
- Thread starter gerardjohnson
- Start date
The largest single contract for the 1895 was that for the Russian musket. It also represents a big piece of the total of all 1895 production.
There were small numbers of .30 US, .303 and 30-03/06 muskets made as well.
There were small numbers of .30 US, .303 and 30-03/06 muskets made as well.
To the very best of my knowledge the .303 Winchester 1895 was never officially adoped by any military anywhere.
While many Winchester 1895s were chambered for the common military rounds of the day they were produced for commercial use only (with the obvious exception being the Russian Contract) .
While many Winchester 1895s were chambered for the common military rounds of the day they were produced for commercial use only (with the obvious exception being the Russian Contract) .
Does not mention what caliber these were, but this may be of interest. It is an excerpt from my Pirkle book:
The Model musket was the only Winchester sporting arm ever to be purchased in significant quantities by the US army for combat duty. At the start of the Spanish-American war in 1895, Major General Nelson Miles, commanding general of the US army issued a request for 10,000 Model 1895 at a cost of $207,000. Their delivery was delayed by military inspectors who refused to pass a significant number of parts. By the time the problems were straightened out, the fighting in Cuba was over. Most of the muskets that were accepted were resold to the new Cuban government in 1906. Only 100 M1895 muskets were accepted for combat use. These were shipped to the Philippines in 1889 for trial by the 33rd US Volunteer Infantry, but were soon returned, rejected as unsuitable. The Krag rifle was judged its superior.
Anyway, that didn't stop the Russians, who as noted above, ordered a contract of 293, 816 M1895 muskets in 7.62x54R during WWI!
As noted above, the caliber was not noted, but since it was in 1895, and the model 1895 was only available in 30US (30-40 Krag), 38-72 and 40-72 and that time, it would have been 30 US. Another interesting tidbit: along with these 3 introductory calibers, the Model 1895 was also listed in 6mm US Navy, but apparently none were ever sold commercially.
Cheers,
Matt
The Model musket was the only Winchester sporting arm ever to be purchased in significant quantities by the US army for combat duty. At the start of the Spanish-American war in 1895, Major General Nelson Miles, commanding general of the US army issued a request for 10,000 Model 1895 at a cost of $207,000. Their delivery was delayed by military inspectors who refused to pass a significant number of parts. By the time the problems were straightened out, the fighting in Cuba was over. Most of the muskets that were accepted were resold to the new Cuban government in 1906. Only 100 M1895 muskets were accepted for combat use. These were shipped to the Philippines in 1889 for trial by the 33rd US Volunteer Infantry, but were soon returned, rejected as unsuitable. The Krag rifle was judged its superior.
Anyway, that didn't stop the Russians, who as noted above, ordered a contract of 293, 816 M1895 muskets in 7.62x54R during WWI!
As noted above, the caliber was not noted, but since it was in 1895, and the model 1895 was only available in 30US (30-40 Krag), 38-72 and 40-72 and that time, it would have been 30 US. Another interesting tidbit: along with these 3 introductory calibers, the Model 1895 was also listed in 6mm US Navy, but apparently none were ever sold commercially.
Cheers,
Matt
The Savage muskets (Savage 99D) were made in 303 Savage. Approx 800 of these went to the Montreal Home Guard. Heard a few muskets were also made in 30-30 Win, but that would be a rare find. Many muskets were unfortunately chopped, but you do see them from time to time. Like to find myself one.
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Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
B.c. coastal rangers? thought I had heard something about that on here some where, maybe it was the model 94,not the 95,not sure now.
For those rifle shoots is it not enough that the 95 was used and that the .303 was also used,just not together in the same platform?
For those rifle shoots is it not enough that the 95 was used and that the .303 was also used,just not together in the same platform?
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