Winchester Model 1885 Limited Series 22” .38-55 WCF Single Shot Rifle, 2008
SOLD FOR: $1,201
WOA#: WY240220BA032
Make: Made by Miroku of Japan, imported by Browning Arms Co for Winchester.
Model: 1885 Limited Series
Serial Number: 00066MP85H
Year of Manufacture: 2008 (MP date code)
Caliber: .38-55 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER 1885 LIMITED SERIES SHORT RIFLE – – Caliber 38-55 Win. ONLY”. The right side of the barrel shoulder is marked “Made by Miroku – Japan – – Imported by BACO. INC. – Morgan, Utah / Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation”. The barrel and receiver is marked with Winchester Oval WP proofs. The right side of the receiver is marked “00066MP85H”.
Barrel Length: 22” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The rear of the barrel and the chamber ring each have a pair of drilled, tapped and filled holes for mounting a scope (none included). The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding peep sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with schnabel forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has no notable wear or damage. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent- Like New condition. It appears unfired outside of factory testing.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. The trigger breaks crisply and 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: This rifle comes with its factory box, owner’s manual, and lock with keys.
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 is a fairly recent production 1885 Limited Series rifle chambered for .38-55, one of the traditional chamberings for this model. The .38-55 WCF was originally developed by Ballard and could push a 250gr projectile at about 1,300 fps. This makes it a nice rifle for black bear and other similar sized game and has remained a somewhat popular cartridge, perhaps most due to the large number of Winchester rifles chambered for the round. It is a beautiful rifle with a 22? octagon barrel, beautiful walnut stocks, and has been equipped with a nice sight setup. Whether you’re looking to add to your Winchester collection or get a rifle for hunting, this will make a fine gun for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
