Winchester 1885 High Wall Deluxe .44 WCF 28″ Single Shot Rifle 1890 Antique

SOLD FOR: $4477

LSB#: 230914LM139

Make: Winchester

Model: 1885 High Wall

Serial Number: 41506

Year of Manufacture: 1890

Caliber: .44 WCF

Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot

Barrel Length: 28″ Octagonal No. 3 Heavy Barrel

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade in a slotted base that is dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a tiny “V” notch elevator sight dovetailed into the barrel. The top tang has a drilled, tapped, and filled hole.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut. The forend has a Schnabel tip with ebony insert. The buttstock has a straight grip, a straight comb, cheekpiece, and a crescent metal buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted to the belly and there is another mounted to the barrel. There is a chip loss repair at the toe. There is some wood filler at the right edge of the frame. There are some scattered compressions, draglines, and nicks. There are a few scratches and light scrapes. Most of the defects have darkened with age. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some finish loss, pitting, scabbing, and discolroation. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray and the rifling is worn but well defined. There is pitting throughout the bore. Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The receiver has finish loss and thinning but there are still visible areas of case color. There are areas of pitting and scabbing, most noticeable on the receiver. There are some scattered areas of oxidation and discoloration from previous oxidation. There is finish wear on the edges. There are some little nicks and scratches. There are some scattered operational marks and handling marks. The markings are clear. The screwheads show light wear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The set trigger does not function correctly, otherwise, the action functions correctly. 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: Included is a Cody Firearms Museum letter.

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 .44 WCF with a 28″ No. 3 heavy octagonal barrel and checkered walnut stocks with a cheekpiece. This rifle letters as being shipped with its 28″ No. 3 barrel, fancy checkered stocks with cheekpiece, sling swivels, and .44 WCF chambering. This one will be a nice addition to your collection, especially if lacking an 1885! Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red