C. Sharps Arms Winchester 1885 High Wall 30″ .38-70 Falling Block Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1,625.99

LSB#: WY241019DB057

Make: C. Sharps Arms Co.

Model: New Model 1885 Highwall Target Rifle

Serial Number: 85-1288

Year of Manufacture: 1992-2008

Caliber: .38-70 WCF

Action Type: Lever Operated Falling Block Single Shot Rifle

Barrel Length: 30″ Octagonal, #4 Weight

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe-style sight with an aperture insert dovetailed to the front of the barrel. There are two sight blocks installed on the barrel, one just in front of the receiver and the other a little forward of center. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a schnabel forearm, semi-pistol grip with “S”-profile bottom, straight comb with shadow-line cheek-piece, and a checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the bottom of the forend. There is light wear around the rear of the buttstock from the included slip-on pad. The bottom stock mounting screw is missing from the bottom tang. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has generally strong case color with some erosion around the edges and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly on the barrel. There is scattered minor scuffing on the barrel with some small nicks and scratches. There is a cluster of nicks on the bottom tang behind the lever. There are some minor nicks and scratches on the right receiver flat and minor wear on the top tang from a previously installed tang sight. The bottom tang is missing its stock mounting screw. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very 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: An Action brand slip-on buttpad is included.

Our Assessment: Sharps rifles are a series of large-bore, single-shot, falling-block, breech-loading rifles, beginning with a design by Christian Sharps in 1848. They were renowned for long-range accuracy. More recently, C. Sharps Arms of Big Timber, Montana has taken up the helm of the “Old Reliable” trademark and produces extraordinary replicas of Sharps rifles, but this is something different. This is a New Model 1885 Target Rifle manufactured 1992-2008 and is a replica of a Winchester model, designed by John Browning. Chambered for the .38-70 WCF cartridge, it is a modern replica of a Browning designed Winchester model. The .38-70 is based on the .45-90 WCF case, shortened and necked down to .38 caliber. If that tickles your fancy, this will make a great rifle for enthusiasts of Sharps, Winchester, Browning and black powder cartridge shooters in general. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud  

C. Sharps Arms Model 1874 Sharps “OLD RELIABLE” 32”.40CAL Single Shot Rifle
C. Sharps Arms Model 1874 Sharps “OLD RELIABLE” 32”.40CAL Single Shot Rifle