Uberti Model 1885 High Wall .40-65 Winchester Single Shot Rifle, MFD 1998
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 211001DC85
Make: A. Uberti of Italy
Model: 1885 High Wall Falling Block Rifle
Serial Number: 774
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Caliber: .40-65 WCF
Action Type: Lever Operated Falling Block Single Shot Action
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked at the receiver with “.40-65”W.C.F.”. “UBERTI USA, LAKEVILLE CT / MADE IN ITALY RYA. UBERTI” and at the receiver with “CAL. 45-65”W.C.F.. The front underside of the receiver is marked with two Italian proofs, the Uberti logo, “10501”, and the BL date code. The lower tang is marked “PAT. OCT. 7TH 79.” and “774”. The upper tang is marked “A. UBERTI – ITALY”. The left side of the upper tanh is marked “774”. The bottom of the barrel is marked with two Italian proof marks.
Barrel Length: 30”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe sight with an interchangeable leaf. The currently installed leaf is an aperture atop a post. There are no additional leaves included. The rear sight is a “U” notched semi-buckhorn elevator sight that is dovetailed into the top of the barrel and secured with a set screw. The upper tang is equipped with a fully adjustable peep aperture. The side of the ladder graduates from 0 to 325 yards in increments of 25 yards.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are smooth hardwood with a lacquer finish over a reddish stain. The forend has a Schnabel tip and the receiver has a straight grip with a crescent shaped blued steel buttplate. The buttplate has a trapdoor in its center for storage of cleaning equipment. The butt stock shows several dings along the belly. There are some other infrequently scattered tiny dings throughout the wood. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows oxidized scrapes at the toe and other nicks and dings throughout. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel is blued. The receiver, its tangs, the hammer, trigger and lever are case colored.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. There is thinning around the muzzle. The case color has muted considerably. There are infrequently scattered light nicks and scratches throughout the barrel. The hammer knurling is sharp. The screw heads are tool marked and the markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. 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: In 1879 John Browning was granted a patent for a new rifle design that was to become one of the most famous single shot rifles ever produced. It was sleek, symmetrical, and very strong. The design was better than anything available at that time, including the legendary Sharps. The Browning rifle was of falling block design, with a centrally located trigger. The lever was a graceful S shape, and the hammer recessed into the action for easy loading and extraction. It is still, to this day, one of the best single shot rifles ever designed. John Browning was twenty-four years old. Over the next few years, John and his brothers manufactured approximately six hundred of his single shot rifles before the manufacturing rights were sold to Winchester, who introduced the rifle as their Model 1885 Single Shot. This Model 1885 High-Wall rifle is a replica made by A. Uberti of Italy. The rifle has a blued barrel with case coloring in the receiver, lever and tangs. Its 30” heavy barrel is chambered in .40-65 WCF. The forend has a Schnabel tip and the buttstock has a straight smooth grip with a crescent shaped blued buttplate. There is a trapdoor in the buttplate for storage of cleaning equipment. The rifle is in about Fine-Plus condition. This rifle can be used for hunting any North American game animal. Please see our photos and good luck!