Winchester 1885 High Wall 30” #3 38-55 Win. Single Shot Rifle, 1902 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,325.00

LSB#: LSB250623CH003

Make: Winchester

Model: 1885 High Wall

Serial Number: 93699

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1899

Caliber: .38-55 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE  / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.” in front of the rear sight dovetail and at the receiver with “38-55”. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number. The bottom of the barrel is marked “3” in front of the forend.

Barrel Length: 30″ Octagon #3 Weight

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a glove sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight dovetail is filled with a blank. The top tang is mounted with an aperture sight. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. The forend has a schnabel tip with ebony insert. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has oxidation throughout. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition. 

Type of Finish: Blued 

Finish Originality: Refinished. 

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light scattered erosion. The bore has been sleeved. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. The new finish is mostly strong and complete throughout. There is thinning on the leading edges and minor evidence of erosion under the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger breaks crisply and is fairly light. The lever locks up solidly. 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: This rifle comes with a factory letter: Serial Number applied October 15, 1902, 30” Octagon #3 Barrel, Plain Trigger, and a shipment date of June 01, 1903.

Our Assessment: When they were first manufactured, the John Browning designed Winchester Model 1885 rifles were deemed stronger than the prior Sharps rifles, and the different sight and trigger options available made them an instant hit with hunters and target shooters alike. The Model 1885 rifles were targeted at competitors in “Match Shooting”, a sport which was extremely popular from about 1871 to 1917. The Winchester rifles challenged the Sharps, Remington, Maynard and Ballard rifles, and quickly became known for their reliability and accuracy. Major Ned Roberts, inventor of the .257 Roberts cartridge, described the Model 1885 as “the most reliable, strongest and altogether best single shot rifle ever produced”. This example is a High Wall chambered for the 38-55 Winchester cartridge. With a 30″ #3 round barrel, strong mechanics, good bore, this rifle is in Very Good condition. The sights have been replaced. This would be a great rifle to get back out on the range. It will also make a neat addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.