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November 19, 2006
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I was looking through an old dealer’s (Larry’s Gun Room) catalog from 2009. Here’s one that caught my eye then, and catches it now:
M1892 Semi-Deluxe, #90,xxx, 32-20, 30 inch oct. F.M., pistol grip I-checkered shotgun butt, Lyman tang w/windage, beaches front, spirit level rear, 97% bbl and mag, 85%+ rec., exc. wd and bore, w/factory letter. $16,000.
Anywhere here have it? Michael, is it in your survey? This would sure be one to have… 
November 19, 2006
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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?
April 15, 2005
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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
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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Bert H. said
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
Bert –
That is good to know. I no longer wish I would have purchased it! I did note he made no reference to having a factory letter on it. That is something I would have looked seriously had I pursued it.
March 20, 2009
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steve004 said
I was looking through an old dealer’s (Larry’s Gun Room) catalog from 2009. Here’s one that caught my eye then, and catches it now:M1892 Semi-Deluxe, #90,xxx, 32-20, 30 inch oct. F.M., pistol grip I-checkered shotgun butt, Lyman tang w/windage, beaches front, spirit level rear, 97% bbl and mag, 85%+ rec., exc. wd and bore, w/factory letter. $16,000.
Anywhere here have it? Michael, is it in your survey? This would sure be one to have…
Hello Steve,
I don’t have any photos of it but it is SN 90538. The sight package does not “letter” as original.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
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Bert H. said
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
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.
April 15, 2005
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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
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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