Browning Model 1885 High Wall 28″ .38-55 Winchester Single Shot Rifle, 1997
SOLD FOR: $1,875.00
LSB#: LSB250516JB031
Make: Miroku in Japan for Browning
Model: 1885 High Wall
Serial Number: 11986NR2H7
Year of Manufacture: 1997 (NR Date Code)
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever-Actuated, Exposed Hammer Falling Block Rifle
Barrel Length: 28”, Tapered Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The chamber ring and rear of the barrel are drilled, tapped and filled for mounting optics (none present). The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Browning tang sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with schnabel forend, straight grip, straight comb, steel crescent buttplate and sling studs front and rear. The stocks have only a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows no significant wear. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few tiny marks and faint operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in 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: 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 by Miroku in 1997, factory equipped with a folding tang sight and chambered for .38-55 Winchester. Using the classic Browning-designed Winchester 1885 action, it is perfectly suited for Black Powder Cartridge Rifle competitions and should prove to be a reliable hunting rifle. 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 nearly all 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
