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I just wanted to add 25-35 to your list of calibers. I think it is quite rare…
I have all (91) calibers listed in the article published in the Winter 2021 edition of the Winchester Collector magazine. There are (64) Single Shot rifles that are in the letterable serial number range, and (8) more that I have found thus far in the 110000 – 140000 range. In total, I suspect that at least (80) in total were manufactured in the 25-35 WCF caliber. Not exactly “rare” by Single Shot standards, but certainly uncommon. What does bring it into the “rare” category is the fact that it is also a Take Down. What is the serial number on your Single Shot rifle?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Shrapnel said
I just wanted to add 25-35 to your list of calibers. I think it is quite rare.
Considering all the other special order features, it would still be “quite rare” even in the most common caliber.
Bert H. said
Ross,S/N 106238 was originally a 25-20 S.S. (Single Shot), and it is also a Take Down rifle. It had a 28-inch octagon barrel, No. 1 size. As much as I like to see 100% original Single Shot rifles, I would not be inclined to spend the $$$$ to restore your low-wall. It is much more practical in its current cartridge configuration.
In regards to low-wall cartridges, they were advertised as being available in all of the various rim fire cartridges, and the smaller center fire cartridges (e.g. 22 WCF, 25-20 SS, 32 WCF, 38 WCF, and 44 WCF). There were a very small number of them made in other center fire cartridges, but they are rare.
Bert
Bert – you mean like the .38-56 WCF? 🙂
steve004 said
Bert H. said
Ross,
S/N 106238 was originally a 25-20 S.S. (Single Shot), and it is also a Take Down rifle. It had a 28-inch octagon barrel, No. 1 size. As much as I like to see 100% original Single Shot rifles, I would not be inclined to spend the $$$$ to restore your low-wall. It is much more practical in its current cartridge configuration.
In regards to low-wall cartridges, they were advertised as being available in all of the various rim fire cartridges, and the smaller center fire cartridges (e.g. 22 WCF, 25-20 SS, 32 WCF, 38 WCF, and 44 WCF). There were a very small number of them made in other center fire cartridges, but they are rare.
Bert
Bert – you mean like the .38-56 WCF? 🙂
Yes, and the 40-65 WCF, as well as the 32-40 and 38-55.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
I have all (91) calibers listed in the article published in the Winter 2021 edition of the Winchester Collector magazine. There are (64) Single Shot rifles that are in the letterable serial number range, and (8) more that I have found thus far in the 110000 – 140000 range. In total, I suspect that at least (80) in total were manufactured in the 25-35 WCF caliber. Not exactly “rare” by Single Shot standards, but certainly uncommon. What does bring it into the “rare” category is the fact that it is also a Take Down. What is the serial number on your Single Shot rifle?Bert
I guess a number under 80 is rare, but that still doesn’t sound like many being made in that caliber. The rifle letters as it is…
I don’t recognize the checkering pattern. Is it factory or outside the factory work? It’s not mentioned in the letter but there is an R&R entry.
Don
deerhunter said
I don’t recognize the checkering pattern. Is it factory or outside the factory work? It’s not mentioned in the letter but there is an R&R entry.Don
Does that really matter?
Shrapnel said
deerhunter said
I don’t recognize the checkering pattern. Is it factory or outside the factory work? It’s not mentioned in the letter but there is an R&R entry.
Don
Does that really matter?
To some yes and to some no. Just trying to broaden my knowledge of factory vs. non-factory checkering—that’s all. If non-factory, it looks very nicely done.
Don
deerhunter said
I don’t recognize the checkering pattern. Is it factory or outside the factory work? It’s not mentioned in the letter but there is an R&R entry.Don
It does seem rather odd that the original customer specified so many other options, but not checkering. But it’s also been proven that the factory ledger sometimes omitted certain details.
I have one in 25-25 stevens, does anyone else?
matt campbell said
I have one in 25-25 stevens, does anyone else?
Not that I am aware of… but Winchester did make a small number (13) of rifles in that cartridge. Can you send me a clear picture of the caliber marking on your Single Shot rifle? Is it a low-wall or a high-wall? Serial number?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
matt campbell said
I have one in 25-25 stevens, does anyone else?
Stevens made a specialty of re-boring & re-rifling damaged or shot-out brls of guns made by other companies, esp for their own proprietary cartridges like this one–once a highly-regarded woodchuck & small-game cartridge, the “.22 Hornet” of its day. Usually the brl was marked on the top “Rifled by Stevens Arms,” but not always. If it was re-rifled by Stevens, he original WRA caliber marking can be found on the underside of the brl. No gunmaker of the time excelled Stevens’ reputation for accurate brls.
Recently just acquired a 1885 with serial number 61785 do you have any information on this gun no barrel markings so don’t even know caliber of firearm
Logen Epley said
Recently just acquired a 1885 with serial number 61785 do you have any information on this gun no barrel markings so don’t even know caliber of firearm
Your “1885” Single Shot rifle was probably originally chambered in .38-55 but your barrel (with no markings) is likely a replacement so there is no telling what the caliber is now without doing a chamber cast.
Bert (our resident Single Shot guru) will be along shortly to give you more info.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
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JWA said
Logen Epley said
Recently just acquired a 1885 with serial number 61785 do you have any information on this gun no barrel markings so don’t even know caliber of firearm
Your “1885” Single Shot rifle was probably originally chambered in .38-55 but your barrel (with no markings) is likely a replacement so there is no telling what the caliber is now without doing a chamber cast.
Bert (our resident Single Shot guru) will be along shortly to give you more info.
Best Regards,
In all of John Moses Browning’s designs the Single Shot would rightfully claim the title of “Most Likely to be Messed With” if it wasn’t for his 1911 pistol. Both lend themselves to competitive shooting and are easy to tinker with. Competitive shooters and tinkerers just can’t help themselves, something can always be “better” in their eyes. Any number of things could have happened over the last 130+ years. That’s why an original Single Shot is a very lucky find. A chamber cast and a slug passed down the bore could be the key to figuring out what it takes to make that old girl a shooter again.
Mike
Logen Epley said
Recently just acquired a 1885 with serial number 61785 do you have any information on this gun no barrel markings so don’t even know caliber of firearm
Logan,
Single Shot s/n 61785 was originally a Plain Sorting Rifle, 38-55 with a 30-inch No. 3 octagon barrel and a plain trigger. As Jeff mentioned, if the barrel is not marked, it has most likely been rebarreled with an aftermarket barrel. Per the factory records, it was manufactured in the year 1893.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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