Make: Winchester

Model: 1885 Low-Wall

Serial Number: 9337

Year of Manufacture: 1887

Caliber: .22 Long

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.”, and at the rear with “22 LONG”. The left shoulder of the barrel at the rear has an oval “WP” proof. The bottom tang is marked “-PAT.OCT. 7TH 79.-” and “9337”.

Barrel Length: 24 ½”, #1 weight octagonal.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

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 wrist, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. There are some light nicks and scratches throughout. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with infrequent minor oxidation and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished. 

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray to dark. There is erosion throughout. The rifling is worn. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational wear. Most of the finish on the receiver has worn to white and taken to a mottled dark patina throughout. The barrel retains a good amount of finish on the flats with finish wear all along the edges. There are scattered, scratches, nicks, and scuffs throughout with a few minor dings on the barrel’s octagon. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action works 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”. The design is also endlessly customizable with barrels available in a dizzying array of profiles, lengths, and chamberings.

This Early example has a high-wall profile breech block installed in a low-wall profile receiver. It’s 24 1/2″ #1 weight octagonal barrel is chambered for the .22 Long cartridge. This ought to still make for a fun shooter, but it could also be the base for your own custom build.