Guns International #: 102731103
Seller's Inventory #: 001
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Guns International #: 102731103
Winchester Lee-Navy Straight-Pull Sporting Rifle
6 mm U.S.N.
Description: History The Lee Rifle, Model 1895, was designed by James Paris Lee – the Lee of the iconic British Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield military rifles. Lee used a cam-action, straight-pull bolt with a clip loaded magazine system for his design. The rifle was manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms Co. At the time, the US military was transitioning from large bore Springfield Trapdoor and Remington-Lee rifles chambered in .45-70 Gov’t ammo, to a smaller caliber, higher velocity round such as the .30 Army to better utilize the power of smokeless powder. The US Navy adopted the Model 1895 Lee-Navy rifle chambered for a semi-rimmed 6 mm U.S.N. (.236 caliber) cartridge. This was one of the US military’s first smokeless powder repeating rifles, and the first to be loaded by charging a clip into the 5-round fixed box magazine. The Lee-Navy was standard issue to the US Navy and Marine Corps from 1895-1903, used in action in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, and in 1900 in the Boxer Rebellion in China. The Lee-Navy was phased out in the early 1900s in favor of the Springfield Krag and Springfield Model 1903 rifles. Production Less than 20,000 units were produced, of which 15,000 were military issued (navy anchor stamp), and 4,300 in commercial military pattern design and a sporter version (no anchor). The sporting rifle version is quite a rarity, with only 1,563 delivered to dealers. The Winchester-Lee Straight-Pull Sporting rifle has a 24-inch barrel, while the military rifle has a 28-inch barrel. Barreled receivers with serial numbers below 13390 (including this rifle) were made prior to December 31, 1898. Winchester records indicate that commercial models of this production lot were not made into complete rifles until 1902 when production ceased. Commercial sales continued until about 1916. Rifle With the exception of barrel length and stock, the Winchester-Lee Straight-Pull Sporting Rifle is identical to the Navy model. This rifle is of the “A” pattern, referring to improvements including a sighting groove in top of the bolt, bolt with two gas holes on top, and a gas vent on the left side of the receiver. The front sight is a silver blade pinned to a ramp; the rear sight is a semi-buckhorn on a sliding elevator. The pistol grip cap is the Winchester logo in hard rubber; the butt plate is steel. The walnut stock has finger grooves and a Schnabel end. Stamped on the barrel near the rear sight is: “NICKLE STEEL BARREL ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”. All original parts with 95% original finish, sharp lettering, unmarred wood stock and clean bore with crisp rifling. This Winchester-Lee sporter is mechanically correct and in excellent collector condition. Price includes packaging, insurance and shipping. Price: $2,300.00 Buy Now Curio/Relic: Yes Rifle Caliber: 6mm Lee Navy Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Model: Lee-Navy Model 1895 Sporter Barrel Length: 24 inches Condition: Excellent collector condition Action: Cam action straight pull Manufacture Date: 1898 Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102731103
Seller's Inventory #: 001
Guns International #: 102731103
Seller's Inventory #: 001