Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have an incredibly rare piece of American history – a Winchester-Lee Model 1895 rifle recovered from the sunken battleship U.S.S. Maine. Only 56 rifles were salvaged from the ship after the February 15, 1898 explosion that sparked the Spanish-American War.
The Winchester-Lee was cutting-edge technology for 1895 – a straight-pull bolt action chambered for the advanced 6mm Lee Navy cartridge. James Paris Lee’s design featured a five-shot internal magazine that loaded with stripper clips, making it faster than contemporary turn-bolt rifles. The 6mm bullet was the smallest diameter round in U.S. military service until the AR-15/M16 adoption in the 1960s.
This rifle, serial number 7131, is documented in U.S. Navy records and period Bannerman catalogs as one of the Maine recoveries. After the disaster, Francis Bannerman purchased 54 of the salvaged rifles and sold them for $40 each as historical artifacts. Two others went to the Smithsonian. The Navy markings tell the story: “-U.S.N.-/(Naval anchor)/No7131/-N.C.T.-” with the latter being inspection initials of Nathan C. Twining. This rifle was part of the first Navy contract of 10,000 rifles delivered between late 1896 and mid-1897.
What makes this rifle historically significant goes beyond its rarity. The Maine explosion and the rallying cry “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” launched America into its first overseas war and marked the beginning of American imperial expansion. This rifle represents that pivotal moment when the United States transformed from a continental power into a global force. It’s a tangible connection to one of the most consequential events in 19th-century American history.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Documented U.S.S. Maine Recovered U.S. Navy Winchester-Lee Rifle.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4095/197/documented-uss-maine-recovered-us-navy-winchester-lee-rifle. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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