Winchester 1885 Low Wall 28″ #1 .32-20 WCF Single Shot Rifle,1893 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,275.00
WOA#: WY240321BS140
Make: Winchester
Model: 1885 Low Wall
Serial Number: 63822
Year of Manufacture: 1893
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Markings: The top of 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 “32 W.C.F.”. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number and “PAT. OCT. 7th 79.”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “1” just in front of the forend.
Barrel Length: 28″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an ivory beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The rear sight has been modified, the notch is no longer adjustable for elevation. The sights are not original to the rifle. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
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. There is a repaired break in the wrist with patch repairs on each side. There are small losses around the top tang. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some scattered oxidation and infrequent erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished and repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued & Bright
Finish Originality: The barrel’s finish is Original, the receiver has been polished bright.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 7% of its metal finish. The barrel has a little finish around the rear sight with some remaining under the forend. The barrel has otherwise worn to white or gone to a light patina with the muzzle-end polished bright and the area around the barrel weight marking also polished. The receiver has been polished bright. There are scattered nicks and scratches with some light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus 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: 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 is chambered for .32-20 WCF with a 28″ #1 octagonal barrel. The rifle is in good shape for its age, retaining a little original finish with a good bore and strong mechanics. The rifle has been equipped with a new set of sights and has provision for mounting a tang sight. This Winchester Low Wall will make a nice addition to any collection and could be out plinking or taking small game for another century. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
