Generally speaking, a higher percentage of Model 1885 rifles will be found with high condition bores than their repeater siblings. Most Single Shot owners had a better respect for their rifle, the importance of singular clean shot kill, and maintaining their rifle in excellent shooting condition.
Both of John Campbell’s book are great sources of information. There are a few minor inaccuracies, but overall, they provide a lot of very useful details about the Winchester Single Shot rifle. As a serious Model 1885 collector, I have dedicated a considerable amount of time over the past 40-years researching them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Most Single Shot owners had a better respect for their rifle…
Seems reasonable, but I think being able to clean from the breech is the most important factor–imagine the nuisance of cleaning a repeater with hot water, the most effective BP solvent.
Somebody dropped the ball on my own early ’85 in Short; high-finish outside, but a lightly pitted bore.
1 Guest(s)
