Winchester 1885 High Wall .30-30 Conversion Single Shot Rifle, 1886 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1175
LSB#: 211201KB16
Make: Winchester
Model: 1885 High Wall
Serial Number: 6373
Year of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Conversion
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Markings: The bottom tang is marked with the serial number and “PAT. OCT. 7th 79.”.
Barrel Length: The installed barrel is 29.5″, Octagonal. The barrel is not original to the gun.
Sights / Optics: There is a mounting block at the front of the barrel and two at the rear. No optic is installed or included.
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 schuetzen brass buttplate. There is a split in the forend on the right side and bottom, both at the rear. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, most in the buttstock with small gashes on the right side as well. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows scattered nicks, scratches, and dings. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue Barrel & Case Colored Receiver
Finish Originality: Original. Original to the aftermarket barrel.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The case color has gone mute and the receiver shows scattered light erosion, nicks, dings, and scratches. The finish on the barrel is clean and uninterrupted. There is thinning on the mounting block. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, the serial number is marked fairly shallow, as was common in early production guns. Overall, this rifle is in about Fair-Good condition as custom Antique. (See mechanics)
Mechanics: The set trigger does not function properly. The hammer falls upon closing the action. This will need to be fixed before attempting to fire. 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: 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 30-30 conversion with an aftermarket barrel. The bottom tang’s serial number dates it to the second year of production. The receiver has other early features such as the lack of a top tang marking, exposed sear-spring screw on the top tang, octagonal chamber ring, slab-side receiver and long-tang buttplate. Unfortunately, the set trigger mechanism isn’t functioning properly, causing the trigger to fall upon closing the action. Please see our photos and good luck!