Make: Winchester

Model: 1885 High Wall

Serial Number: 65526

Year of Manufacture: 1893, Antique

Caliber: .40-90 Ballard

Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot

Barrel Length: 29? No. 4 Heavy Octagonal Barrel

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade set between two bases dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel (the riser has been removed). The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight (none present), the screw is removed. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. The forend has a Schnabel tip with a triangular ebony inlay. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. There is a crack on the left side of both tangs. There are some scattered minor compressions, dings, nicks, and scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly muted and taken to a patina with oxidation throughout and some trace case color around the plate screw.  Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with well defined to sharp rifling. There is faint erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates about 8.5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The receiver has lost its finish and has taken to a mottled patina. The barrel has scattered oxidation and light patina but the finish remains generally strong throughout with finish loss on the leading edges, and at the muzzle.  There are some scattered spots of frost. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. There are handling marks. The screwheads show light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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”.