Winchester 1885 Low Wall 26” #1 .22 Short Single Shot Rifle, Post 1919 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: WY250204JH006
Make: Winchester
Model: 1885 Low Wall
Serial Number: 119633
Year of Manufacture: After 1919
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Single Shot Falling Block Rifle
Markings: The upper left flat on the barrel is marked “-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-” in front of the rear sight and at the receiver with “22Short.”. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number. The bottom of the barrel is marked “1” just in front of the forend.
Barrel Length: 24”, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel.. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). Four holes have been drilled in the top flat of the barrel; two in front of the rear sight and two in front of the receiver.
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 steel crescent buttplate, checkering, and two diamond shaped inlays which appear to be nickel silver, have been installed one on each side of the wrist and a small nickel inlay directly behind the top tang. The LOP measures 12 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a brown patina overall. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition with much remaining original finish.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished Barrel.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is well defined and it’s this writer’s opinion that this barrel has been re lined. I would rate the condition of the bore at a 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The rifle has been reblued by the caustic salts bluing method and shows signs of being polished by a buffer. The screw heads are generally sharp and in good condition. The markings range from clear to worn and shallow, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Fair – Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a safety notch and is cocked automatically when the action is cycled. The trigger breaks crisply. 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: None.
Our Assessment: 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 chambered for ..22 short with a 24? #1 octagonal barrel. The rifle is in good shape for its age, mostly refinished with an excellent bore and strong mechanics. This Winchester Low Wall will make a nice addition to any collection and could be out plinking or taking small game for another century.
