Make: Winchester
Model: 1885 High Wall Schuetzen
Serial Number: 97048
Year of Manufacture: 1904 / C&R
Caliber: .32-40 Winchester Centerfire
Action Type: Single Shot Falling Block Rifle with Schuetzen Set Triggers
Barrel Length: 32" Octagonal No. 4
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Wind Gauge globe sight with a post insert and is dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding aperture peep Midrange Vernier sight screwed to the top tang. The front sight is installed with a spirit level. The top of the barrel has two male dovetails installed, screwed to the barrel. The top 3 flats of the barrel are matte, factory wavy serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, Schuetzen cheekpiece, folding palm rest, Helm buttplate, and inlaid ebony schnabel tipped forend. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scratches, and compressions. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 12 3/4" and 11 7/8" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate, respectively. The plate has some wear at the heel and toe which has introduced some discoloration. There is light intermittent oxidation. The stock rates in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish is very strong with light thinning on the leading edges. There is light intermittent oxidation. There is light freckling on the face of the muzzle. The case colors are strong with gentle muting on the leading edges. The screw heads are lightly used. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a CFM record search which confirms this rifle's special order configuration. It is recorded as a rifle in 32-40, Octagon #4 32 inch barrel, Schuetzen set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock with Schuetzen cheek piece, Midrange and wind gauge sights, No rear seat 3 sided matte barrel, and spur lever, with serial number applied on June 22, 1904 and a received in warehouse date on September 01, 1904. There is no recorded shipment date.
Our Assessment: John M. Browning’s remarkably strong falling-block design became Winchester’s Model 1885 and evolved into one of America’s premier single-shot target rifles. Winchester offered the Model 1885 in numerous sporting and competition configurations, with the Schuetzen Rifle representing its specialized offhand target form; the first recorded Schuetzen rifles appeared in the 1890s. Heavy barrels, set triggers, special target sights, select and checkered stocks, and other individualized features could be ordered to suit serious competitors. The .32-40 was particularly well suited to this style of precision shooting, and the combination of a long No. 4 barrel and Schuetzen equipment places this rifle squarely within the golden age of American single-shot competition.
Serial 97048 is an exceptionally well-appointed example whose CFM record documents its special-order configuration: .32-40 chambering, a massive 32" No. 4 octagon barrel, Schuetzen set triggers, checkered pistol-grip stock with Schuetzen cheekpiece, Midrange and Wind Gauge sights, no rear sight seat, factory three-side matte treatment, and spur lever. This rifle further retains about 85% of its original finish, strong case colors, attractive select walnut, and a bright 8/10 bore. With its impressive concentration of factory-documented target features and excellent surviving condition, this is the type of Winchester Single Shot that would crown most advanced Winchester collections.
