Browning Model 1885 Low Wall .44 Rem Mag 24″ Half-Octagon Single Shot Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,225.01
LSB#: LSB260129AB009
Make: Browning
Model: 1885 Low Wall
Serial Number: 07641NP371
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Caliber: .44 Remington Magnum
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 .44 Rem Mag Only”. The right side of the receiver is marked with the cylinder.
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Barrel Length: 24″ Half Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fiber optic beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable folding U notch that is dovetailed into the barrel. There is a Browning tang mounted adjustable peep sight installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut. The forend has a light Schnabel tip. The buttstock has a straight comb, straight grip, and crescent buttplate. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are sling mounts installed. There are scratches and light compression dents scattered throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is very minor fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 98% of the original finish. There are a few light scratches scattered throughout. There is minor handling and operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: The Browning Model 1885 Low Wall is a modern continuation of John Moses Browning’s original single shot design, one of the most elegant and mechanically efficient falling block actions ever produced. First introduced in the late 19th century, the Low Wall variant was intended for smaller, lower-pressure cartridges, offering a lighter and more streamlined profile than its High Wall counterpart. By the late 20th century, Browning’s reintroduction of the 1885, manufactured in Japan, brought this classic design back with modern metallurgy and precision, maintaining the original’s clean lines and reliable function while appealing to contemporary shooters and collectors.
Chambered in .44 Remington Magnum, this rifle pairs a classic single shot platform with a powerful and versatile modern cartridge. Introduced in 1955, the .44 Magnum quickly became known for its strong performance in both revolvers and carbines, offering substantial energy and effectiveness at moderate ranges. In a rifle-length barrel such as this 24″ configuration, the cartridge benefits from increased velocity and improved ballistic efficiency, making it well suited for hunting and field use while maintaining manageable recoil characteristics in a well-balanced single shot rifle.
This example is a clean and well-maintained rifle, retaining approximately 98% of its original blued finish with only light handling marks present. The 24″ half-octagon barrel and combination of fiber optic front sight, adjustable rear sight, and Browning tang-mounted peep provide a flexible and practical sighting arrangement. The walnut stocks, with their straight grip, schnabel-tipped forend, and crescent buttplate, show light wear but remain structurally sound and visually appealing. The bore is strong and bright, and the action functions correctly, reflecting the quality associated with these Japanese-made Browning rifles. Overall, this is a well-executed example of a classic design adapted to a modern cartridge, offering both traditional aesthetics and practical performance. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF