Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
An exceptional single-shot rifle on gunbroker
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4161
Member Since:
November 19, 2006
sp_UserOnlineSmall Online
1
September 6, 2020 - 12:38 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Wonderful condition, wonderfully rare chambering, wonderful sights (that letter).  This is darn near a collection in itself.  Nice pieces are out there!  

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/876388515

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 10726
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
September 6, 2020 - 2:06 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

The rear tang sight does not letter… it was added after the fact. Based on the factory letter, it should have a Lyman tang sight (most likely an early No. 2). I do like the caliber though.

Bert

WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6281
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
September 6, 2020 - 2:40 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

steve004 said
This is darn near a collection in itself.

Hard to see that–merely a standard sporting rifle in exceptional condition.  The chambering may be scarce, but that’s because shooters of the time weren’t impressed with it, otherwise there’d have been more of them made. 

The No. 7 Lyman front sight isn’t earlier than 1889, so both sights are non-original.

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 10726
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
September 6, 2020 - 3:10 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

clarence said

steve004 said
This is darn near a collection in itself.

Hard to see that–merely a standard sporting rifle in exceptional condition.  The chambering may be scarce, but that’s because shooters of the time weren’t impressed with it, otherwise there’d have been more of them made. 

The No. 7 Lyman front sight isn’t earlier than 1889, so both sights are non-original.  

I agree with Clarence… the front sight cannot be original to the rifle either.  That stated, the sights that are on it now are worth a fair amount of $$$.

WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1710
Member Since:
June 4, 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
September 6, 2020 - 11:57 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Bert H. said

  That stated, the sights that are on it now are worth a fair amount of $$$.  

      Great point, and I might add on many single-shot rifles the sights were carried separate and changed to suit the shooter. I like the gun. T/R

  

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4161
Member Since:
November 19, 2006
sp_UserOnlineSmall Online
6
September 6, 2020 - 12:10 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I’ll tell you one thing that is rare.  It is very rare that I post a topic and don’t learn something. Thank you for the comments.   

I too, like the rifle.  I would like it better if the sights lettered.

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6281
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
September 6, 2020 - 1:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

TR said

      Great point, and I might add on many single-shot rifles the sights were carried separate and changed to suit the shooter. I like the gun. T/R

    

You’re talking about single-purpose match rifles, not ordinary hunting rifles such as this one. 

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4970
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
September 6, 2020 - 4:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Nice rifle, price pretty reasonable (for now) and the condition is exceptionally nice. Cartridge sounds interesting, need to do some reading.

 

Mike

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4571
Member Since:
March 31, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
September 6, 2020 - 4:39 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

TR said

      Great point, and I might add on many single-shot rifles the sights were carried separate and changed to suit the shooter. I like the gun. T/R

    

Who cares that the sights don’t letter.  What is has now are more cool and if it really bothers someone they can find the originals and sell these to me.  Here is a picture of a 38 EX next to a 45-90.IMG_0600.jpgImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1710
Member Since:
June 4, 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
September 6, 2020 - 5:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

 Chuck, Well said. The picture of the two rounds explains why it wasn’t used in a 86. T/R

Avatar
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 794
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
September 9, 2020 - 1:23 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

WOW!  Just imagine what the value of this would have been had it had it’s original sights!  What a shame someone would destroy the value of such a fine piece by installing better sights.  If the person who purchased this fine piece were to install the proper sights, would that increase the value substantially or has the value been lowered permanently?  Roger B

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4161
Member Since:
November 19, 2006
sp_UserOnlineSmall Online
12
September 9, 2020 - 3:12 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

rogertherelic said
WOW!  Just imagine what the value of this would have been had it had it’s original sights!  What a shame someone would destroy the value of such a fine piece by installing better sights.  If the person who purchased this fine piece were to install the proper sights, would that increase the value substantially or has the value been lowered permanently?  Roger B  

Something like this is a great example of different strokes for different folks.  Some bidders may well have bid higher because it has the sights on it that it has.  The sights on it are more valuable than the original sights (i.e. if sold apart from the rifle).  For me, I’d have preferred the sights original to the rifle.  I do understand why others think in the other direction on this point.  

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 10726
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
September 9, 2020 - 3:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

rogertherelic said
If the person who purchased this fine piece were to install the proper sights, would that increase the value substantially or has the value been lowered permanently?  Roger B  

Roger,

I do not believe that the sights on it hurt the value one iota, and taking them off and putting the “original” sights back on it (not really possible), would not increase the value of the rifle

Bert

WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
South Texas
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 1042
Member Since:
March 20, 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
September 9, 2020 - 4:03 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Good looking rifle and caliber. Have to admit Im not familiar with all the 1885 chamberings.

Just my opinion, removing sights on a rifle like this one and restoring them to an original configuration only takes away from the character and personalization of the gun.  At present you have a great looking gun in a rarer (?) caliber, with a customized selection of sights (hopefully selected as a preference by the original shooter).  Remove the sights and your left with the condition of the gun and caliber.  The selection of the sights only adds to the rifle’s story behind the owner and how it was used. 

DSC_0245-Copy-3.JPG

1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member

"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6281
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
September 9, 2020 - 5:31 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

1892takedown said

At present you have a great looking gun in a rarer (?) caliber, with a customized selection of sights (hopefully selected as a preference by the original shooter).

Put there by the original owner I’d view as an enhancement, put there by some later owner or dealer to increase value isn’t the same–but there’s no way to tell the difference.

But the modification should at least be acknowledged, & the seller was implying that the gun was untouched since leaving the factory.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4571
Member Since:
March 31, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
16
September 9, 2020 - 9:25 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I really don’t think that changing sights is a modification.  Modifications are something you can’t reverse. You can find period correct sights if you wish and nobody would ever know.  The ones that Winchester put on the gun would be nice though but the value would not go up.

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 778
Currently Online: steve004, cranky2, Louis Luttrell, SureShot, MNwin
Guest(s) 39
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 6281
TXGunNut: 4970
Chuck: 4571
1873man: 4282
steve004: 4160
Big Larry: 2324
twobit: 2291
TR: 1710
mrcvs: 1706
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 12650
Posts: 109998

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1745
Members: 8792
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation