A classic completely RUINED.
RIP classic 1895.
I disagree with that statement. From the looks of the original pictures, it was ruined by the person who filed that slot in the bolt. The finish was no screaming hell, it was pitted, with a bad barrel, and a stock that had lousy repairs on it.
You can not save the World, or every firearm that comes across your path. Some of them have been neglected or Bubbaed like this one. Basically, here, the OP had an action, and a bunch of crapped out parts originally.
In the matter of Collecting, I strongly lean toward the Original line of thought, but I am also open minded enough to realize that some firearms are not candidates for putting back to original status. With a more rare firearm, it does make sense, but with more available and mass produced models, it sometimes is better to create an individual rifle, if done well and tastefully.
The OP has done this with a poor to fair 1895 Winchester, and I think he has done exceptionally well on it. His craftsmanship shows the time, effort and care that he has expended on it, and he should be commended on basically making a very unique and useful rifle from a crapped out one.
I wonder if anyone would think that a Griffin and Howe Sporter made from a 1903 Springfield as a "RUINED" Military Springfield. How about the Classic Mauser rifles that used 1898 Mauser Military actions? RUINED? Maybe a better example of being "RUINED" is taking an 1873 Colt Single Action Army Pistol, sending it to Tiffanys and having them engrave it, put on ivory grips and silver inlays. Does anyone think that Tiffanys RUINED that Colt?
If the makeover is tasteful and well done, does it really matter if it is made by a big name company, a well known gunsmith, a not-so-well-known gunsmith, or a talented amateur who obviously has a love for guns and fine craftsmanship? The gun will speak for itself and reflect the quality.
I have a set of .308 Winchester Bench Rest loading dies made for me a long time ago by Seeley Masker. Is someone going to try to tell me that he "RUINED" a perfectly good Lyman 310 hand tool in making them?
So, to the OP, I say "Fine job." The only thing I can see is that inletted brass block on the top of the bolt cries out for some engraving, and I might suggest your name - " ###### ###xx" above the words found on many of the older era muzzle loaders, "His Rifle".
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