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May 8, 2014
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Besides the .32-20 of recent posts, I have another ’85 that is a little different. It is a Low Wall Takedown in .22 LR caliber, # 108413. It has a pistol-grip stock with black cap. The stock has a shiny finish that is plain ( no checkering ). I believe it is original to the gun because there are matching assembly numbers (7188) on the side of the lower tang and on the rear of the stock under the buttplate.
However, the barrel is either modified original or a replacement. It appears that a full octagon barrel was turned down to make it into a half octagon. I think this because the manufacturer stamp is partly missing, in the area where the round section begins. The letters “Manufa” and “New Ha” are missing, as well as the size stamp from the bottom of the barrel in front of the forearm. Also, the mfr. and the “.22 LONG R” stamps are on the 10 O’clock flat. The top of the receiver and top of the barrel have the standard Winchester proof stamps. There is no front sight dovetail, but there is a standard rear dovetail with a well done blank installed. A previous owner drilled and tapped four holes for mounting scope bases. The machining of the round section is excellent, with smooth surface and well done bluing. The round section tapers smoothly from .770″ diameter to .620″ at the muzzle of the 24″ barrel. The octagon section is about 11 5/8 ” long, with a well done transition to round.
The stamps on the underside of the barrel are, from receiver forward : a heavy prick punch ; letter X ; bottom half of either a 5 or a 3 (punch tipped so that top part not readable) ; 22 LONG R ; a small 5 ; letter I within triangle ; numbers 189485 in line ( ? one large number or six individual numbers ) ; what appears to be letter P within a circle. Finally, there is a scribed, not stamped, date ; 7 – 10 – 23 near the forearm mounting dovetail.
Lust wondered if you had seen one like this before ?
April 15, 2005
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The barrel is both modified (turned down) and it is also a replacement. Originally, the barrel was completely round. The plain pistol grip stock is original though.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I’ve come to believe that when it comes to original 1885 Winchesters they’re a bit like 379 Peterbilts. It’s hard to find two exactly the same.
Mike
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