Browning 1885 High Wall .45-70 28” Falling Block Single Shot Rifle 1995
SOLD FOR: $1,450.00
LSB#: LSB250520NP016.1
Make: Browning Arms Company, Miroku Japan
Model: 1885 High Wall
Serial Number: 01668NV247
Year of Manufacture: 1995 (NV Code)
Caliber: .45-70 Govt.
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever-Actuated, Exposed Hammer Falling Block Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1885 CALIBER .45-70 GOVT”. The right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 28” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed blade. The rear sight is a u-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered walnut with a straight grip, fluted straight comb, and a Browning rubber buttpad. There is light handling wear. The checkering is crisp. There are a few blunted checkers. There are a few scattered scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 ½ ” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, which shows no wear. The stocks rate a Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is a tiny nick in one of the grooves about 1 inch from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a few tiny scattered marks, none of which draw attention. The rifle looks to have seen minimal use if any at all. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates an Excellent 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: Browning’s 1885 High Wall is a modern revival of one of John Moses Browning’s earliest and most admired rifle designs, a single-shot falling-block action first patented in the late 1870s and later produced by Winchester. The High Wall earned a reputation for strength, simplicity, and precision, becoming a favorite among target shooters and hunters during the black-powder and early smokeless eras. This 1995 Miroku-built example continues that legacy with the high manufacturing standards for which Browning’s Japanese production is known, retaining the classic octagonal barrel, exposed hammer, and tight, glass-smooth block lockup that made the original famous. Even at a glance, the rifle carries the unmistakable aesthetic of late-19th-century American single-shots—long, lean, and purpose-built for accuracy across open country.
Chambered in .45-70 Government, the cartridge that powered U.S. military rifles from 1873 onward, this rifle ties directly to one of the most storied chamberings in American arms history. Originally developed for the Springfield Trapdoor, the .45-70 became synonymous with frontier military service, buffalo hunting, and long-range target competition. Its versatility has allowed it to endure well into the modern era, capable of everything from mild black-powder loads to stout, modern smokeless hunting ammunition. This rifle’s excellent finish, crisp wood, and strong bore—with only a small nick noted near the muzzle—give it the kind of condition collectors prize in a late-20th-century Browning single shot. With its near-new appearance and the inherent precision of the High Wall design, it embodies both the romance of the original Winchester pattern and the craftsmanship of Browning’s modern production. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
