Rock Island Auction Company is honored to be able to offer this rare, incredibly historic, national treasure U.S. Navy issued Winchester-Lee Model 1895 rifle that was recovered directly from the Battleship U.S.S. Maine after it was sunk in Havana Harbor on February 15th, 1898; one of the most significant events in American history and considered to be the catalyst of the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. Reportedly, over 260 crew members were claimed in the explosion from what was said to be a Spanish mine or torpedo, although there were beliefs it may have instead been caused by an accidental spontaneous fire within a coal bunker of the ship, igniting the ship's magazines, which is still a subject of debate today. Either way, newspaper headlines went wild and "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!" became a popular rallying war cry of Americans after this event. This is one of 56 rifles in total salvaged from the U.S.S. Maine, with 2 sent to the Smithsonian Institution and 54 subsequently purchased by Francis Bannerman, a well known military surplus dealer, who then sold them to the public for $40 each, with a documented list of serial numbers in period Bannerman catalogues. This rifle, serial number 7131, is listed in the included copy of the record from the U.S. Navy that lists the serial numbers of the complete rifles salvaged from the U.S.S. Maine that were sold to Francis Bannerman. This list of serial numbers is also shown on page 495 of "The Winchester Book" by George Madis, and on pages 78-79 of the "Winchester-Lee" book by Eugene Myszkowski. A Springfield Research Service letter is also included that also verifies this rifle by serial number as one of the U.S.S. Maine recovered rifles. This rifle is part of the first U.S. Navy contract of 10,000, with completed deliveries between late 1896 through mid 1897. Designed by James Paris Lee, the innovative Winchester-Lee rifles are chambered for the rimless smokeless high velocity 6 mm Lee Navy (.236) cartridge and feature a straight pull bolt action, five-shot internal spring-loaded magazine that loads with stripper clips and pistol grip stock. The advanced 6 mm bullet utilized in these rifles was the smallest diameter round in U.S. military service until the adoption of the AR-15/M16 rifles in the 1960s. Many of these rifles saw extensive service with the Navy and Marine Corps landing parties during the Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion and Philippine Insurrection (not including this specific example). This rifle has the Navy markings: "-U.S.N.-/(Naval anchor)/No7131/-N.C.T.-" roll-stamped on the top of the receiver, with the latter being the inspection initials of Nathan C. Twining. Winchester patent marks are roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the receiver. The barrel, upper and lower barrel bands, rear sight base, receiver, bolt, magazine, trigger guard and buttplate have military blue finish. Fitted with the scarce front sight cover designed for the Navy Model 1895 rifles. The upper barrel band has a stacking swivel, the lower band has a fixed sling swivel, ahead of the magazine has an empty slot for a detachable sling swivel, and a rotating detachable sling swivel is fitted on bottom of the buttstock. The buttplate has a sliding trap door. Includes a souvenir spoon made with metal recovered from the U.S.S. Maine. An irreplaceable and desirable fully documented rifle that is a relic of one of the most significant events in 19th century American history!