C. Sharps Arms Winchester 1885 High Wall 30″ .40-82 Falling Block Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1,700.00

LSB#: WY241019DB045

Make: C. Sharps Arms Co.

Model: New Model 1885 Highwall Sporting Rifle

Serial Number: 85-1265

Year of Manufacture: 1992-2008

Caliber: .40-82 WCF

Action Type: Lever Operated Falling Block Single Shot Rifle with Single Set Trigger

Barrel Length: 30″ Round

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 forward of center. There are two drilled, tapped and filled holes behind the front sight block and one drilled, tapped and filled hole behind the rear sight block. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight with a base installed that is missing the sight arm.

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 light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the bottom of the forend and in the right of the grip. 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 is in the white with infrequent faint oxidation and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Bright (not Stainless)

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. There is light wear along the sides of the barrel with a patch of finish wear on the bottom about 3″  in front of the forend. THere is a cluster of light scratching on the bottom-left of the barrel in front of the front sight block. The barrel has some other minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The receiver has scattered small nicks and minor scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus 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 Sporting Rifle manufactured 1992-2008 and is a replica of a Winchester model, designed by John Browning. Chambered for the .40-82 WCF cartridge, it is a modern replica of a Browning designed Winchester model. The .40-82 is based on the .45-90 WCF case necked down to .40 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 Winchester 1885 High Wall 30" .40-82 Falling Block Rifle
C. Sharps Arms Winchester 1885 High Wall 30″ .40-82 Falling Block Rifle