Winchester Low Wall 22 Short Falling Block Single Shot Rifle Model 1885
SOLD FOR: $735
WOA#: WY220916RB003
Make: Winchester
Model: 1885, Low Wall
Serial Number: 67382
Year of Manufacture: May 15, 1894 – Subsequently rebarrelled & refinished
Caliber: Rebarreled to .22 LR from .25-20 WCF
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever Action, Exposed Hammer Falling Block Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked, “-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A-” and with the caliber at the chamber – “22 LONG R”. The lower tang is marked with the serial number “67382”.
Barrel Length: 28” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a dove set blade sight and the rear sight is a receiver mounted Redfield Series 70 peep sight with micrometer adjustment knobs. The Series 70 sight is phantom-mounted to the barrel, and is likely permanently attached. There are screw holes on the top of the barrel for the mounting of optics, these holes are empty.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are replacement pieces with a checkered steel shotgun buttplate, straight wrist and wide forearm. The fit is acceptable and there is attractive darkening from age. There are slight scratches and scuffs throughout, one large chip on the right side of the foregrip, but no cracks. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows light erosion and has a bit of tar on the tip. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal refinish. The current finish on the rifle is not original, the rifle has been reblued over imperfect metal finishing. There is mild erosion and a few round edges under the finish. The new finish shows a few tiny scattered marks and one noticeable nick on the bottom of the barrel. There are a number of empty screw holes for the mounting of optics, both on the barrel and upper tang, some have been added. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are soft. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as refinished condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Letter from the Cody Firearms Museum, showing original shipping configuration.
Our Assessment: Many would consider the Model 1885 to be the greatest single-shot rifle ever designed. Amongst the earliest of Browning’s designs, and the first of Browning’s inventions produced by Winchester. The 1885 was the product of Winchester’s desire to offer a rifle for the target shooting market. Thomas Bennet, VP of the Winchester company was impressed by Browning’s design and bought the rights for mass production. There were “Low Wall” and “High Wall” configurations, larger calibers being High Walls. Between the Low Wall and High Wall variants, the 1885 was fitted for an impressive range of calibers, from simple rounds like .22 Short up to powerful big game stoppers like the .50-90 Sharps. Winchester even produced a military variant of the rifle, referred to as the “Winder Musket”, that allowed for inexpensive training of new recruits in the leadup to World War I. The Model 1885 had a highly successful run, with well over 100,000 rifles produced during its original production run.
This particular rifle is a Low Wall originally manufactured in 1894 in .25-20 WCF. At some point in the rifle’s life, it was reblued, rebarreled and used as a favorite target gun. These changes have extended the rifle’s useful life, and make it the perfect plinker for small-game or varmint hunting. The .22 LR caliber also makes this an excellent rifle for training young shooters, as it is an inexpensive round tied to a good ergonomic rifle.Please see our photos and good luck on this historically rich firearm!
