Well, old, actually: Winchester model 1895 in the original 7,62x53R caliber! And yes, it features the Russian stamps.

The gun features the "ears" for clip loading, and the quick-detachable sling swivel - I bet that was an industry first.
Unfortunately, the rear sight has been changed and the front stock cut. Of course the tools are missing. Otherwise it seems to be in original condition, however!

Took it to the range, of course, almost directly from the gun shop. @100m (110 yds) it grouped 44mm (1 6/8"), 38mm (1 1/2") with 4 shots on bench rest.
The last 2 shots I got into 12mm, just under 0.5"!!
The ammo used was Sako 8g (123grs) FMJ Range.

I'll be going to the range on Saturday again, this time also with some 180grs soft point hunting rounds. This'll be a dandy season!!!

"Pictures, man, pictures!" I hear you yelling.
Please help me post and I'll satisfy your thirst.

- Lars/Finland

Veery interesting and worthy of pictures.

quote:

Please help me post and I'll satisfy your thirst.

Didn't forget nutton! Just don't know how to....

- Lars

Update: See? Sometimes the search function does bring results.

Now that is a grand old rifle. I am stunned at the great condition it is in. I was always under the impression that most were used until they fell apart. Pretty nice plank for a butt stock too. I wouldn't refinish it but if you did, some real pretty figure would pop out. Congratulations on a great piece.

Thank you!

Didn't think of refinishing/refurbishing the stock, but why not?
I figured I'll try to keep this as original as possible, and swap the original sling from my other 1895 onto this. It has the original patented clasp on it, you see, so this would then be one step closer to original again.

It's funny: the most expensive I've seen had a price tag of 1000 Euros (yes, one thousand) and I know of another whose asking price is a whopping 1600 Euros!
But you can find usable 1895s for as low as maybe 150.

- Lars

Very nice!

Where can you get one for 150 Euro? For that price I need one, I really, really, really want one in 405 Win.

That is hands down the best find I've seen all year. BTW it is 7.62x54R not 53 as that was the Finnish designation. Made for the Czar and wandered off into obscurity. Lucky man!

We've always called it the 53R in Finland, and that it is to me!
When I first came across the 54R designation, I was most confused.



900 SS:
Don't know if you'll very easily find a .405!
I'd be most surprised to find one outside the U.S.

-Lars

Either way she is sweet! Since Sako is Finn, makes sense.

quote:

900 SS:
Don't know if you'll very easily find a .405!
I'd be most surprised to find one outside the U.S.

-Lars

I know, but for 150 Euro I would be very happy with a 7,62x53R. Are the Finnish models the same as US ones?

Are you reloading for her? Keep us posted on load development and what kind of groups you get.

quote:

Originally posted by 900 SS:

quote:

900 SS:
Don't know if you'll very easily find a .405!
I'd be most surprised to find one outside the U.S.

-Lars

I know, but for 150 Euro I would be very happy with a 7,62x53R. Are the Finnish models the same as US ones?

Are you reloading for her? Keep us posted on load development and what kind of groups you get.

It is a Czar era Russian rifle. The Russian model was longer and was equipped for a bayonet.

quote:

I know, but for 150 Euro I would be very happy with a 7,62x53R. Are the Finnish models the same as US ones?

As stated below.
Usually the ones found here are sporterized in one way or the other: at least the front stock is usually cut, sometimes the barrel also. The rear sight is usually changed, too.

But apart from that, it's the same gun.

quote:

Are you reloading for her? Keep us posted on load development and what kind of groups you get.

Nope, don't reload.
Sako Range costs 40 Euros per a box of 50 so little point in reloading. I can also get reloaded ammo from a couple of friends who do load.

Today I bought some Lapua Naturalis ammo with 180gr bullets.
The grouping was nice, less than 2" @ 100m so far better than the Sako Hammerheads. The price, though, is pretty steep @ 54 Euros per a box of 20. As an added bonus the feeding was absolutely superb!

- Lars

quote:

Don't know if you'll very easily find a .405!
I'd be most surprised to find one outside the U.S.

There are a few of them here in Oz, I have owned two of them!

Schauckis knows whereof he speaks. CIP lists both 7.62x53R and 7.62x54R. While cartridges should be interchangeable between both chambers, there are minor differences in chamber dimensions. We make reamers for both.

Dave Manson

Congratulations on your find. I love my 95, but it doesn't have the history of yours. It's a new production in .30/06, but it does shoot better than most expect a lever to do.

Update:
My colleague is a Winchester collector - amongst others, he has a flat-side 1895! - and he identified the gun to be of the later production run to the Russian Czar. This he was able to tell on basis of the serial number of the gun.

Apart from that, he also verified the barrel to be of original length and considered the gun to be in good condition - and a cheap buy!
He also very much appreciated the accuracy of the gun.

- Lars