C. Sharps Arms Winchester 1885 High Wall .40 2 1/10″ SS Falling Block Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1986
LSB#: 220331RL016
Make: C. Sharps Arms Co.
Model: New Model 1885 Highwall Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: 85-1058
Year of Manufacture: 1992-2008
Caliber: .40 Caliber 2 1/10″ Sharps Straight (SS)
Action Type: Lever Operated Falling Block Single Shot Rifle
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “C.SHARPS ARMS CO. INC. / BIG TIMBER, MONTANA , U.S.A. / 85-1058”. The top of the barrel is marked “Old Reliable” in a rectangle, “C.SHARPS ARMS CO. INC. / BIG TIMBER, MONTANA, U.S.A.”, and “CAL. 40 2 1/10”.
Barrel Length: 28” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade that is slotted in a base and dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. When down, it presents a “V”-notched buckhorn sight. When folded up, there is a “V”-notched slider on the ladder. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled 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 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 with sharp checkering. 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.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action has minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. 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: 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 2 1/10″ Sharps Straight cartridge, it is a modern replica of a Browning designed Winchester model which fires a Sharps cartridge. 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!