Winchester-Lee Model 1895 6mm Navy Rifle

[varifleman]

​Here for your viewing pleasure is Winchester-Lee Model 1895 6mm Navy Rifle serial number 18003 with bayonet and scabbard. It was part of the second US Navy contract (serial numbers 15001-20000) inspected by Lt John N. Jordan (J.N.J as stamped on breech in photo 7) which were delivered from 1 August through 6 December 1898.

 

[deemus]

Nice!

 

[mantawolf]

That is a cool bolt-action...

 

[Bambulance Man]

Beautiful rifle

 

[varifleman]

Here are photos of the open bolt.

 

[navysooner]

Is that a straight pull?

 

[Sapper740]

Is that a straight pull?

Yes it is. That's a sweet rifle. Historical note: wildcatters necked the 6mm Lee down to make the .220 Swift which was a very popular cartridge in Alaska and British Columbia early in the twentieth Century. Some hunters even used it to take moose! (not recommended).

 

[varifleman]

Here are a box of 20 Remington-UMC 6mm USN ammo; a single round and S&S firearms clip and wire.

 

[varifleman]

Per the Winchester Repeating Fire Arms letter the serial number was applied to the on July 22, 1898; Caliber: N; received in warehouse on August 12, 1898 and shipped from warehouse on August 20, 1898; Order number 2689. It just missed the Spanish-American War but may have served during the Relief of the Foreign Legations in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 or during the Philippine Insurrection 1899-1902. I'll have to see if I can track down the USN or USMC ship/unit which eventually received this rifle.