Make: Winchester

Model: 1885 High Wall

Serial Number: 84985

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1899

Caliber: .30-40 Krag (.30 U.S.)

Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE - / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-" in front of the rear sight dovetail and at the receiver with "30 U.S" the left of the barrel is marked "NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER". The top tang is marked "PAT. OCT. 7TH 79. / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK". The bottom tang is marked with the serial number. The bottom of the barrel is marked "3" in front of the forend.

Barrel Length: 30" Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble 50W beaded blade sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang has a drilled and tapped hole for a tang sight (none present). 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. The forend has a schnabel tip with ebony insert. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks have been refinished including the buttplate which shows erosion throughout that has been blued over. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued 

Finish Originality: Most remaining finish appears Original save for the buttplate which has been refinished. 

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with well defined rifling. There is light erosion throughout. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5 out of 10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to white and taken a mottled patina with scattered oxidation and corrosion. The trace finish that remains is primarily on the barrel behind and around the rear sight. The sights have been replaced. There are some tool marks around the sight bases. The barrel has some scattered minor finish wear, light scuffs and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger breaks crisply and is fairly light. The lever locks up solidly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: When they were first manufactured, the John Browning designed Winchester Model 1885 rifles were deemed stronger than the prior Sharps rifles, and the different sight and trigger options available made them an instant hit with hunters and target shooters alike. The Model 1885 rifles were targeted at competitors in “Match Shooting”, a sport which was extremely popular from about 1871 to 1917. The Winchester rifles challenged the Sharps, Remington, Maynard and Ballard rifles, and quickly became known for their reliability and accuracy. Major Ned Roberts, inventor of the .257 Roberts cartridge, described the Model 1885 as “the most reliable, strongest and altogether best single shot rifle ever produced”. This example is a High Wall chambered for the .30-40 Krag cartridge. With a 30" #3 round barrel, this rifle is in Good condition, retaining some of its original finish, a decent bore and strong mechanics. The sights have been replaced. This would be a great rifle to restore and get back out on the range. It will also make a neat addition to a Winchester collection.