steve004 said
Hey Bert – 

There was one for you in that same catalog:

 

M1885 Hi-wall  #115,xxx .30 U.S. #3-30″ oct. bbl, no rear seat, factory scope blocks with proof mark in front of rear block, 90% to 95% overall, $4750.

He mentions it’s the only octagon barreled 30 U.S. he’s ever seen in the M1885.  Anyone else come across one?

 

  

Steve,

That rifle does not have a factory original barrel, and No, I have never found any Model 1885 smokeless powder cartridge rifle with a factory original octagon barrel.  All of them were made with a full round barrel only.

Bert

steve004 said

Bert – what is your speculation on how this rifle came to be?  Let’s assume it has the correct Winchester barrel address.  Larry does mention the presence of the Winchester proof marking.  Are you thinking Winchester couldn’t have made the barrel?  With Winchester, we do have the, “never say never” aspect.  Particularly, when the customer was set on what they wanted.  

Steve,

I have encountered a handful of Model 1885 high-walls chambered for smokeless powder cartridges, and with an octagon barrel… none of them lettered with it.  In my detailed survey of the Model 1885 records, every single one of the rifles made in a smokeless powder cartridge letters with a round barrel.  Further, Winchester very clearly indicated in their catalogs that smokeless powder (nickel steel) barrels were only available in round contour.  Based on the fact that I have not yet (after 40+ years of looking) found an authentic octagon barrel in 30 U.S. (or 25-35 WCF, 30 WCF, 32 WS, 35 WCF, or 405 WCF), I am of the belief that none were ever made.  Winchester did the same thing with the Model 1886 in 33 WCF… none were made with anything other than a round barrel.

Bert