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July 7, 2026
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I snagged an 1885 Highwall manufactured in 1886 in 32-20 today at an auction. It has a mirror bright bore so hold real hope for it as a shooter. My question is in regard to the trigger and whether the tiny hole in the trigger base aft of the trigger itself, indicates it was originally built with a single set trigger? Haven’t got around to taking the trigger housing out to look more closely for signs of a set trigger but will soon.
Jon
April 15, 2005
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Hello Jon,
Ordinarily, the tapped 5-56 threaded hole directly behind the trigger indicates a single set trigger. However, some early production Single Shot rifles are found with a trigger made for a set trigger rifle, but do not have the requisite associated parts. In addition to the trigger itself, the hammer for the set trigger is different.
This is a hammer for a plain (non-set) trigger;
This is a hammer for a set trigger;
As you can see, the bottom lobe of the hammer is milled with a longitudinal groove to accommodate the set trigger fly, whereas the plain trigger hammer is not.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 7, 2026
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Clear as can be! Thank you Bert. Mine is NOT milled. The lobe is totally solid. Incidentally, I know you are running a data base on these rifles- mine is 1644 in 32-20.
Jon
December 9, 2002
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Jon,
You wouldn’t hurt our feelings if you posted pics of you’re newly acquired M-1885!
Tony
April 15, 2005
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Honest Jon said
Clear as can be! Thank you Bert. Mine is NOT milled. The lobe is totally solid. Incidentally, I know you are running a data base on these rifles- mine is 1644 in 32-20.
Jon
Per the factory ledger record, it was manufactured with a plain trigger, and a 28-inch No. 2 octagon barrel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 7, 2026
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Gladly regarding pix. And thanks for the info Bert. I was thinking about naming her Freckles but she shot so well this afternoon I better come up with something more respectable.
July 7, 2026
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Can any of you gents tell me anything about the Marble Tang Sight? The hole spacing seemed unusual to me as the front screw doubled as the anchor for the top tang spring. Is that unusual or am I just learning new stuff? Is the front sight original? The buckhorn rear sight is AWOL.
yours,
Jon
December 9, 2002
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Jon,
Nice find! You don’t see too many with the octagon top of the receiver, vs. the round top. We’re careful in using the word “rare”, around here but they are not seen often.
Thanks for sharing and posting the pics!
Tony
July 7, 2026
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Another from the same auction in 32-40. 35561 for Bert. Nice bore too but couldn’t get it sighted as the front sight (.321 height base to center) with a combo lollipop/aperture flipper. Nice sight but won’t work with this tang sight. Is this a Lyman #103? Adjustments are really stiff but I like the idea with windage. Maybe it will loosen up a bit. I doubt the rifle has been fired in several decades. Once again, any advice is appreciated.
Jon
July 7, 2026
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Last post not very clear. The front sight is too low. Still shot about a foot high at 100 yards.
Jon
April 15, 2005
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Honest Jon said
Last post not very clear. The front sight is too low. Still shot about a foot high at 100 yards.
Jon
The Lyman wind gauge tang sight is a No. 52A, and it is not original to the rifle. Ordinarily, that tang sight was paired up with a Lyman No. 5B combination front sight.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 7, 2026
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Thank you once again Bert. Late this afternoon I slid an ancient Beach folder sight to match up with the wind gage sight. The Beach measures .494 base to center post. It got dark here tonight so didn’t have time to try it.
Would that be similar to the Lyman 5B in height?
Jon
July 7, 2026
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Hold the phone Bert! The sight I put on late this afternoon IS a Lyman 5B. I always thought it was a Beach but it has the two threaded screws as the pivot for the post and ivory. See below.
Jon
April 15, 2005
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Honest Jon said
Hold the phone Bert! The sight I put on late this afternoon IS a Lyman 5B. I always thought it was a Beach but it has the two threaded screws as the pivot for the post and ivory. See below.
Jon
Yes indeed, that is Lyman No. 5B combination sight.
This is a real Beach sight;
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 21, 2006
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I believe that is a Marbles “Simplex” tang sight, and without seeing the code on the back, I wouldn’t know what it’s for. I have one for a 1894 with a W9 code. Bert, ain’t that Beach front sight pretty far off to the left of center on the barrel.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
April 15, 2005
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Henry Mero said
Bert, ain’t that Beach front sight pretty far off to the left of center on the barrel.
It is a bit left of center… and dirty too!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
July 7, 2026
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One last comment on matching up the wind gage 52a and the Lyman 5B. Today with those two installed I simply walked the hits into the X at 200 yards from 50 to 100 to 200. Easy peasy with the right equipment. Thanks again Bert!
Jon
April 15, 2005
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Honest Jon said
One last comment on matching up the wind gage 52a and the Lyman 5B. Today with those two installed I simply walked the hits into the X at 200 yards from 50 to 100 to 200. Easy peasy with the right equipment. Thanks again Bert!
Jon
You are welcome
Some might say that I have just little bit of experience with shooting the Winchester Single Shot.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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