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Outstanding Winchester Model 1885 Special Single Shot High Wall Target Rifle with Swiss Butt

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Outstanding Winchester Model 1885 Special Single Shot High Wall Target Rifle with Swiss Butt
This Winchester High Wall Special Single Shot target rifle was manufactured in 1895. The rifle has many special order features that were later incorporated in the High Wall Schuetzen Rifles. The rifle has a color case-hardened, paneled frame and is fitted with a blued, full-octagon, No. 3 barrel. The barrel has a "King" blank in the rear sight dove-tail and a globe front sight with removable insert. A reproduction folding graduated peep sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The rifle has custom double set triggers and a lever with elongated loop and a single spur. The forearm is fitted with a folding walnut palm rest and the stock has a pistol grip and nickel-silver Swiss buttplate. The stock has a high comb and lacks the cheek piece found on the later production High Wall Schuetzen Rifles. The pistol grip has an ebony inlay and fine checkered panels on the wrist. The forearm has an ebony inlay at the tip and fine checkering. The stock and forearm are highly figured "Fancy Grain" walnut with "Style H" checkering and an oiled "piano finish". The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / - WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. - " ahead of the rear sight dovetail. The caliber designation, ".38-55" is stamped on the top barrel flat just in front of the receiver. The underside of the barrel is stamped "3" in front of the forearm tip. The serial number, "76099" is engraved on the lower receiver tang.
BBL: 29 7/8 inch octagon
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 38-55 WCF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 76099
Condition: Excellent. The rifle retains 95% of the original blue and 90% plus original casehardened finish. The barrel has nearly all of the blue finish with some very minor edge wear and several insignificant handling marks. The bore is in perfect condition. The top and sides of the receiver have virtually all of the vivid case colors. The bottom of the lever and the lower receiver tang show careful handling wear and have a dove-gray patina. The Swiss buttplate has some minor flaking and retains about 85% of the original nickel finish. The barrel markings are crisp. The highly figured, Fancy Grain, walnut stock and forearm are in excellent overall condition with minimal handling wear and sharp checkering. There is one old and nearly un-noticeable, professional repair on the left edge of the forearm near the tip. The bottom and edges of the walnut palm rest show some minor handling wear but the palm rest remains in very fine condition. This is an outstanding example of a Special Order, Winchester High Wall Special Single Shot model target rifle with many of the features that were later found in the High Wall Schutzen Rifles.