Winchester 1885 Schuetzen Special Order .32-40 Deluxe Target Rifle & Letter

SOLD FOR: $7,802.99

LSB #: 230914LM079

Make: Winchester

Model: 1885 High Wall Schuetzen

Serial Number: 102391

Year of Manufacture: 1906

Caliber: 
.32-40 Winchester Centerfire

Action Type: 
Single Shot Falling Block Rifle with Double Set Triggers

Barrel Length: 
32” Octagonal No. 4

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a wind gauge aperture peep sight with a circular aperture insert and is dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a folding aperture peep sight screwed to the top tang. The front sight is installed with a spirit level.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, Dutch cheekpiece, folding palm rest, and Helm buttplate. There are areas of thinning and finish loss. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scratches, and compressions. There are some areas of discoloration. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 12 ¾” and 11 ¾” from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered areas of frost. There are some areas of finish loss, oxidation, and erosion. The stock rates in about Fine condition.  

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writers opinion, this bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its original metal finish. There is finish wear on the edges. There are some dings in the metal and some scratches, the most noticeable are on the receiver. There are some scattered spots of oxidation and light frost. There are a few areas of light erosion and discoloration from previous oxidation, most noticeable on the sides of the receiver. There are some small patches of light scabbing, most noticeable on the right side of the barrel. There is discoloration from previous oxidation on the muzzle. The case color on the lever has mostly muted. The palm rest is bent inward on the right side. The screw heads are lightly used. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide is snug to the frame but slides smoothly. The trigger is light and crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Winchester Factory 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 checks a lot of boxes for collectors, not least because it looks stunning. Winchester records held at the Cody Firearms Records Office indicate that the sights, palm reset, set-trigger, buttplate, spur lever, and checkered pistol grip stocks are all factory features. This one was built in 1899 and retains an impressive amount of finish for its age. Even the bore is impressive for a rifle this old. This will be a great addition to even advanced collections and is a true gem. Please see our photos and good luck!

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

Winchester 1885 Schuetzen Special Order .32-40 Deluxe Target Rifle & Letter
Winchester 1885 Schuetzen Special Order .32-40 Deluxe Target Rifle & Letter