Angelo Bee Engraved Browning Model 1885 (Winchester) 7mm Remington Magnum Rifle, MFD 1994
SOLD FOR: $5,001
LSB#: 200301JP01
Make: Made by Miroku of Japan for Browning Arms.
Model: 1885 High Wall
Serial Number: 02524NW247
Year of Manufacture: 1994 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/model-1885-rifle.html)
Caliber: 7mm Remington Magnum
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and the left side of the barrel at the receiver is marked “NP”. The right shoulder of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1885 CALIBER 7MM REM MAG ONLY”. The left tang of the receiver, under the stock, is marked “02524 / NW247”. The trigger guard portion of the lever is marked with a Browning Buck Mark. The left of the breech-block is marked “NP”, visible with the action open. The receiver has foliate scroll engraving with french gray background game scenes on each side with the animals done in sculpted gold. The scenes have gold borders and the barrel has gold rings at the muzzle and chamber. The left flat is signed “A.BEE” with a bee under the game scene.
Barrel Length: 28″ Octagonal
Sights / Optics: There is no provision for iron sights. The top-rear of the barrel and the chamber ring have Browning bases with rings holding a Zeiss DIATAL-C 6×32 scope with duplex reticle (SN: 1672749). The scope body has a few minor marks and the glass is clear, in about Fine condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with a gloss finish, schnabel forend, straight grip, solid black rubber Browning buttpad and sling studs front and rear. The stocks have a few scattered minor compressions, scuffs and handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad. The pad shows only minor wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with Gold & French Gray Accents
Finish Originality: Refinished at the time of engraving.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The lever has minor operational wear, visible when the action is open. Otherwise, there are only minor handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. The hammer has a safety notch. The trigger breaks crisply and 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: This rifle comes with the installed scope as described. Also included is a serial-matching Certificate of Authenticity signed by Angelo Bee.
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 is a Browning Model 1885 High Wall falling block single shot rifle with a 28″ octagonal barrel chambered for the 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge. While this would make a fine hunting rifle, it has also been engraved by Master Engraver Angelo Bee, with beautiful game scenes on the sides of the receiver surrounded by scroll engraving with gold border accents. The result is a rifle that is both beautiful and suitable for taking any North American game, perfect for any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!