Browning model 1895

cjwils · March 5, 2012, 08:23 PM

I am in the process of acquiring (it is not in my possession yet) a Browning made-in-Japan copy of a Winchester model 1895, cal. 30-40 Krag. I am getting it to shoot and maybe hunt with. For reasons that don't matter here, I have an old interest in that caliber, and I thought having a lever action rifle that is slightly more powerful than a 30-30 lever action would be nice. Browning made a couple thousand of these copies back in the 1980s. The gun is still in the box and supposedly has never been fired. Here is my question: The previous owner thinks this is sure to become a collector's item. However, I cannot see that a Browning made-in-Japan copy of a Winchester is ever likely to be a serious collector's item, so I have no concern about doing lots of shooting with it. Am I right?

bn12gg · March 5, 2012, 09:06 PM

cjwils- I happen to be a little Browning collector-- 20+ toys.
FWIW I shoot all the kids-- suggesting you shoot your new
acquisition. While the Belgian Brownings are in general more
collectable various Japanesse produced Brownings are achieving
collectable status, e.g., BL22 II, certain Citori O/U's, BSS 12g.
If you hunt with your new rifle you probably need to be careful
not to ding it up. When I buy a gun for my collection one of the
questions I ask, is, has it been hunted? I do not own a Browning
that has been hunted (much).

Good luck with the new rifle.

.02 David

ps-- I'm not into "safe queens."

PetahW · March 6, 2012, 12:03 PM

Some folks equate "desireable" with "collectible" & "collector's item".

Many levergun fans that want a rifle made with modern steels, and/or cannot afford a gennie, prefer the Browning/Miroku 1895 to the most-recent Winchester/Miroku 1895's because the Browning doesn't have the lawyer safety, etc.

.

McShooty · March 6, 2012, 08:10 PM

The Browning copy will never be in the same league, collector-wise, as an original Mod 1895. However, there will be people like you who want one for shooting, maybe hunting, and to admire the Winchester connection and the genius of John Browning. They are very well made and should be very good shooters. Wish I had one.

Slamfire · March 6, 2012, 09:54 PM

Yes, in time it will be a collectable.

When it is, the museum will prop it next to your mummy case and people will pay money to see the ancient man and his antique rifle.

Enjoy it now.

March 5, 2012, 08:23 PM	#1
cjwils Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Location: Washington state Posts: 401	Browning model 1895 I am in the process of acquiring (it is not in my possession yet) a Browning made-in-Japan copy of a Winchester model 1895, cal. 30-40 Krag. I am getting it to shoot and maybe hunt with. For reasons that don't matter here, I have an old interest in that caliber, and I thought having a lever action rifle that is slightly more powerful than a 30-30 lever action would be nice. Browning made a couple thousand of these copies back in the 1980s. The gun is still in the box and supposedly has never been fired. Here is my question: The previous owner thinks this is sure to become a collector's item. However, I cannot see that a Browning made-in-Japan copy of a Winchester is ever likely to be a serious collector's item, so I have no concern about doing lots of shooting with it. Am I right?

March 6, 2012, 09:54 PM	#5
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Yes, in time it will be a collectable. When it is, the museum will prop it next to your mummy case and people will pay money to see the ancient man and his antique rifle. Enjoy it now. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

March 5, 2012, 09:06 PM	#2
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	cjwils- I happen to be a little Browning collector-- 20+ toys. FWIW I shoot all the kids-- suggesting you shoot your new acquisition. While the Belgian Brownings are in general more collectable various Japanesse produced Brownings are achieving collectable status, e.g., BL22 II, certain Citori O/U's, BSS 12g. If you hunt with your new rifle you probably need to be careful not to ding it up. When I buy a gun for my collection one of the questions I ask, is, has it been hunted? I do not own a Browning that has been hunted (much). Good luck with the new rifle. .02 David ps-- I'm not into "safe queens."

March 6, 2012, 12:03 PM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Some folks equate "desireable" with "collectible" & "collector's item". Many levergun fans that want a rifle made with modern steels, and/or cannot afford a gennie, prefer the Browning/Miroku 1895 to the most-recent Winchester/Miroku 1895's because the Browning doesn't have the lawyer safety, etc. .

March 6, 2012, 08:10 PM	#4
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	The Browning copy will never be in the same league, collector-wise, as an original Mod 1895. However, there will be people like you who want one for shooting, maybe hunting, and to admire the Winchester connection and the genius of John Browning. They are very well made and should be very good shooters. Wish I had one.