Winchester Model 1885 38-55 WCF 30″ Single Shot Rifle 1893 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,717.00
LSB#: LSB260602CL031
Make: Winchester
Model: 1885
Serial Number: 80776
Year of Manufacture: 1893 Antique
Caliber: .38-55 WCF
Action Type: Single shot, falling block, center fire rifle
Barrel Length: 30″ Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf semi buckhorn V notch with elevator dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, ebony forend insert, schnabel tip, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent metal buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. There are large spots of worn finish. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There are some small chips and gouges in the forend. There are no cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, color case
Finish Originality: Original but swabbed with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is defined. There is erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its original finish. The majority of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. The barrel has been scrubbed and swabbed with cold blue. There are scratches throughout. The color case is muted with corrosion staining. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Fair to Good condition for antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly but it should be noted that the knock off spring and screw are missing. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1885 is one of John M. Browning’s most important early designs and one of the classic American single-shot sporting rifles of the late 19th century. This 1893 antique example is chambered in .38-55 W.C.F. and features a 30″ octagon barrel, traditional barrel-mounted sights, and straight-grip walnut furniture with a Schnabel forend and ebony insert. Its long octagon barrel and traditional .38-55 chambering give it the classic configuration associated with Winchester’s early target and sporting single-shot rifles.
The Model 1885 originated with Browning’s exceptionally strong falling-block action and became the first Browning design manufactured by Winchester. Offered in an unusually broad range of chamberings and configurations, the Model 1885 developed a strong reputation among hunters, target shooters, and competitive marksmen. The .38-55 W.C.F. was particularly well suited to the platform, becoming respected for both target shooting and medium-game hunting during the black-powder era. Original antique rifles in this chambering remain desirable examples of Winchester’s early collaboration with Browning.
This rifle retains about 15% of its original finish, with most of the metal worn to brown patina and showing corrosion staining and scratches. The barrel has been scrubbed and subsequently swabbed with cold blue, while the original case colors have largely muted with corrosion staining. The walnut stocks remain in Good condition with substantial finish wear, scratches, compression dents, and small chips and gouges along the forend but no cracks. The semi-bright bore has defined rifling with erosion and pitting throughout and rates 6/10. The action functions correctly, though the knock-off spring and screw are missing. Overall, this is a Fair to Good antique Model 1885 with classic .38-55 chambering and strong early Winchester and Browning collector appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF