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. 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.

 

 

[knd643]

Should post the photos directly to the forum so links don't get broken and we cant see them.

[knd643]

pics.

[warguy]

Very nice example of a scarce rifle. Thanks for sharing. Kevin

[varifleman]

Thanks knd643 for posting the photos; they show up when I use edit function but not in post; at 67 I'm not a computer whiz. Seems I've used up my quota linit for posting directly to forum or is there a way around that?

[Wharfmaster]

The Lee Navy is still found on the USMC Good Conduct Medal suspender.

 

 

 

 

 

Wharf

[The Meatcan]

That's a really nice example of a venerable rifle. Not one you see every day! Thanks for sharing.

Terry

[usmchistorian]

Nice example!! You're a very lucky man!

[rayg]

Nice one! I reload the 6mm ammo and shoot mine, Ray

[DEL56]

On 5/20/2015 at 9:48 PM, rayg said:

Nice one! I reload the 6mm ammo and shoot mine, Ray

Ray,

 

I just purchased a 1895 Winchester Lee Navy second contract rifle myself and want to shoot it. Would love to know your reload information. Tired of getting nowhere on the internet stuff.

[rayg]

I used  17 grs of 2400 and 9 grs black powder with the tennis ball patched with a thin paper napkin to give it a tight seal. The rifle at a 30% angle shot the ball over a 100 -125% yrds. When the rifle is aimed at a 45% angle or a bit more, the ball goes extremly high up and comes down about 90 yrs.
The carboard cup shot holes in the ball, front and back until I put a strip of furnace tape on the bottom of the ball which protected it.
The main thing is to get a real tight fit with the ball that's why I used the napkin. I found this out when we were using older used tennis balls that lost some of the fuzzies and then we used a new one which fit much tighter in the cup it shot a lot further. The napkin acts like a patch in a muzzle loader and made sure the balls fit tightly with no gas leak and it worked great.
It's possible that the powder charge could even be reduced now because the napkin patch wasn't tried with the lower powder loads Ray

[rayg]

PS I formed the cardboard cup for the neck using a punch the size of the mouth opening of the case neck and glued it in the case or you can use melted wax to hold the cup in the case...Ray

[varifleman]

Here are a box of 20 Remington-UMC 6mm USN rounds; single round; head stamps and S&S Firearms repro clip and wire. I also recently got an original clip/wire and will post photos later. I haven't shot my rifle with the original issue 6mm USN ammo and may wait to get modern reloads if available.  Any idea re production date for this ammo? I'm guessing 1900 - 1920.

 

[rayg]

Del56  Sorry my above post was for shooting a grenade out of a Lee Enfield.. Another poster asked that question..

 

I can't recall off hand what the load was as it's been awhile ago. .And my books with the info are at my other home in WI and I'm in Florida....Sorry 

[Misfit 45]

Great Lee-Navy!  Here's the bayonet for it.  Made by Remington. 

[varifleman]

 

Here's my bayonet similar to yours:

 

[DEL56]

On 10/14/2020 at 5:19 AM, rayg said:

Del56  Sorry my above post was for shooting a grenade out of a Lee Enfield.. Another poster asked that question..

 

I can't recall off hand what the load was as it's been awhile ago. .And my books with the info are at my other home in WI and I'm in Florida....Sorry 

I sure was scratching my head as I read your reply. Was wondering what universe you were in. Great to know it was ne of those mix up things. My Winchester Lee Navy is  # 16787. Wondering where varifleman got his history as well. I'll post pictures of mine here soon.

[Scottz63]

varifleman, that's a beautiful and rare rifle! I have always liked those.

[BryanJ]

You may not be a computer whiz, but you have great tastes in rifles!