Browning Model 1885 High Wall 30″ Case Color .40-65 Single Shot Rifle, 1997
SOLD FOR: $2125
LSB#: 220117LJ029
Make: Miroku in Japan for Browning
Model: 1885 High Wall
Serial Number: 07125NR247
Year of Manufacture: 1997 (NT Date Code)
Caliber: .40-65
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever-Actuated, Exposed Hammer Falling Block Rifle
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”, the right shoulder is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1885 CALIBER .40-65 BLACK POWDER ONLY”. The right of the receiver has the serial number, the underside of the lever has a buck mark logo.
Barrel Length: 30”, Half-Octagonal Half-Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe-style sight with an aperture crosshair insert and integral spirit level. The front sight will accept replaceable reticle inserts, but only the installed insert is included. The rear of the barrel and the chamber ring each have a pair of drilled, tapped and filled holes for rear sights or optic mounts, but none are included. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a Browning branded Vernier sight adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with schnabel forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece and checkered rubber Decelerator buttpad. The stocks have just a few minor nicks and faint scratches with a few more notable marks on the belly. There is some stubborn residue and light marks at the front of the comb from contact with the tang sight. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/2” and 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad and wood, respectively. The pad shows no significant wear. The stocks rate in about Fine-Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is no erosion. There are some scattered spots of faint fouling.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are thinned areas on the bottom of the barrel and some light thinning on the top octagonal flat. The leading edges are lightly thinned. The case coloring is generally strong, the coloring on the grip cap has partially muted. The barrel shows some sparsely scattered faint marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Many would consider the High Wall to be the greatest single shot ever designed. Amongst the earliest of Browning’s designs, and the first produced by Winchester, it has been a popular choice for more than 135 years. This example was made in a Miroku production run from 1996 to 2001. Factory equipped with a Vernier tang sight and a globe-style front sight with integral spirit level, chambered for .45-65 and using the classic Browning-designed Winchester 1885 action, it is perfectly suited for Black Powder Cartridge Rifle competitions. These rifles were simply too effective to ever go out of production for good and Japan’s premier gun maker pulled it off quite well. This rifle has beautiful walnut stocks and the vast majority of its finish remaining; these combined with the sharp bore make this a rifle with a lot of life left. Please see our photos and good luck!