Make: Winchester
Model: 1885 High Wall Schuetzen
Serial Number: 103791
Year of Manufacture: 1906 / 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 circular insert and is dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding aperture peep Midrange Vernier sight screwed to the top tang. The top of the barrel has two pairs of drilled, tapped, and filled holes. The top flat of the barrel is matte, factory wavy serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut perch-belly "pig stock" 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 no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10. There is a cursive letter on the muzzle below the bore.
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 light muting throughout. The figuring is stronger in the protected areas. There is thinning on the leading edges. The screw heads are lightly used. There is a small dent on one of the edges of the barrel's octagon at the muzzle which is purely a cosmetic blemish. 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: None.
Our Assessment: John M. Browning’s falling-block design became Winchester’s Model 1885 and provided the company with one of the strongest and most versatile American single-shot actions of the period. The Schuetzen configuration represented the specialized target end of the line, combining elaborate offhand furniture, set triggers, precision aperture sights, and heavy barrels tailored to formal target shooting. The .32-40 was particularly important in this discipline and was the most common chambering found in a documented survey of original Model 1885 Schuetzen rifles. With its massive 32" No. 4 octagon barrel and factory matte top flat, this rifle embodies the highly individualized special-order work Winchester offered serious marksmen during the height of American Schuetzen competition.
Serial 103791 is especially desirable because its factory record confirms the features that define its target configuration: .32-40 chambering, 32" No. 4 octagon barrel, Schuetzen set triggers, checkered pistol-grip stock with Schuetzen cheekpiece, Midrange and Wind Gauge sights, no rear sight seat, matte-top barrel, and spur lever. This example further retains about 85% original finish, strong case colors, attractive checkered walnut, and an exceptional 10/10 bore. Its combination of documented special-order features, fine condition, and classic .32-40 target configuration makes this a particularly compelling Winchester Single Shot for the advanced collector.
