Ballard 1885 High Wall .218 BEE 30” Falling Block Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2,400.00
WOA#: 240415EH199
Make: Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Co.
Model: New Model 1885 Highwall Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: W278
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Caliber: .218 BEE
Action Type: Lever Operated Falling Block Single Shot Rifle
Markings: The left flat of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE/ BALLARD RIFLE & CARTRIDGE CO. LLC CODY WYOMING”. And “218 BEE”. The belly of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 30” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe sight in a base and dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a tang mounted peep sight aperture. The sights are MVA Schuetzen Soule Rear and Winchester Style Globe Front with MVA inserts
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel forearm, straight english style grip with “S”-profile bottom, straight comb with crescent style buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips and cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate similarly has no notable wear or damage. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. 10/10 on the bore rating.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The action has minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. Some of the screws have been beautifully “Fire Blued” The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine-Excellent 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: 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 one is chambered in .218 Bee
In 1938, Winchester introduced the .218 Bee, based on a necked-down .25-20 WCF. The .22 Bee was the first competition for the .22 Hornet in the category of varmint cartridges. The .22 Hornet was chambered in bolt action and single shot rifles, and so for the first time, those with a fondness for lever guns and small game/varmint hunting had a lever gun chambered in a varmint cartridge. The Bee and the Hornet were the only two flat shooting varmint cartridges available until the .222 Remington made its debut in 1950.This one retains an impressive amount of finish and will be a nice addition to your collection, especially if lacking an 1885.
So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. Good luck on your bid. -K.F.
