Winchester M1895 Russian Rifle

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	Weapon: Winchester M1895 Russian Rifle Type: Infantry Rifle Country of Origin: Russia Caliber: 7.62x54mmR Action: Lever Action

The Winchester M1895 Russian Rifle was a unique lever-action rifle designed by John Browning and produced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Initially developed as a civilian sporting rifle, the M1895 was modified to meet Russian military specifications, notably chambered for the 7.62x54mmR cartridge to align with the Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle. The M1895's robust, box-magazine-fed design made it one of the few lever-action rifles capable of handling powerful military rounds, setting it apart from earlier lever-action rifles limited to lower-power cartridges.

From 1915 to 1917, approximately 300,000 M1895 rifles were produced by Winchester under contract for the Russian Empire, with the bulk of these rifles shipped to equip Russian infantry during World War I. In Russia, the rifle earned the nickname "Vinchesterka" and saw use by various Russian units, especially cavalry and specialized forces. While production figures were substantial, the demands of the war meant that delivery schedules were often strained, but the M1895 nonetheless became a valuable asset in Russian service.

The Winchester M1895 gained notoriety for its unique role as a military lever-action rifle, rare among bolt-action firearms that dominated the era. Despite its strong build and reliability, the rifle had a relatively brief military service, as it was eventually replaced by other firearms more suited to Russia's needs. Today, the M1895 Russian Rifle is prized by collectors and historians, representing an unusual collaboration between American manufacturing and Russian military requirements, as well as a fascinating deviation from typical military rifle designs of the early 20th century.