Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall 25-20 SS Single Shot Falling Block Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
LSB#: LSB260512JH003
Make: Winchester
Model: 1885
Serial Number: 102721
Year of Manufacture: 1906 C&R
Caliber: 25-20 SS, 25-20 Single Shot
Action Type: Single shot, falling block, centerfire rifle
Barrel Length: 28″ Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight has been removed and the dovetailed plugged. There is a folding peep sight installed on the upper tang.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, schnabel forend tip with ebony insert, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/4″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has been refinished. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There are oil stains in the wrist. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Color Case
Finish Originality: Original with cold blue touch ups.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is minor erosion and pitting. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The majority of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is some light pitting scattered throughout. The color case is muted with corrosion staining. There are spots that have been touched up with cold blue. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall is one of John M. Browning’s most elegant single-shot rifle designs, prized for its smooth falling-block action and exceptional accuracy with small- and medium-bore cartridges. This 1906 example is chambered in the classic .25-20 Single Shot cartridge and features a desirable 28″ octagon barrel, Schnabel forend with ebony insert, crescent steel buttplate, and a folding tang peep sight. Its graceful Low Wall action and traditional sporting configuration make it an attractive example of Winchester’s classic target and small-game rifle.
Introduced in 1885, the Winchester Single Shot became one of the finest American sporting and target rifles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Low Wall variant was specifically intended for lower-pressure cartridges such as the .25-20 Single Shot, making it a favorite among target shooters and varmint hunters who appreciated its light recoil and excellent accuracy. The Model 1885 earned a lasting reputation for strength, precision, and craftsmanship, remaining one of Browning’s most influential firearm designs.
This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish, with the metal worn to a brown patina showing corrosion staining, muted case colors, scattered light pitting, and areas of cold-blue touchup. The refinished walnut stocks remain in Good to Very Good condition with scattered handling wear and oil staining at the wrist but no chips or cracks. The semi-bright bore has well-defined rifling with minor erosion and pitting, rating 8.5/10, while the action functions correctly. Overall, this is a Good-condition Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall with an attractive period configuration and strong collector appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF