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August 26, 2025
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I recently acquired a Winchester 1885 Highwall Sporting Rifle chambered in 38-55. Serial number is 67,xxx range so I believe it was manufactured in 1894. It appears to be unaltered from its factory configuration. Barrel appears rust blued and action is fading case colored. It is in great condition for its age without any external signs of rust or pitting. Stock is in great, but not perfect condition. Bore is in good, but not perfect condition, with a few pits in the grooves a few inches forward of the chamber. When I get the chance I will post pictures as I’d like help determining if it has its original factory finish or not.
My question is, what year did Winchester cease production of the octagon top receiver and switch to the rounded top receiver? My research indicated that Winchester ceased case color on 1885 receivers about 1901, but I couldn’t verify when the receiver design change to round top was implemented.
April 15, 2005
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The complete serial number will allow me to provide you with all of the details for your Single Shot rifle.
Case color finished receiver frames officially ended in August 1901, but for the Single Shot receiver frames, it was actually January/February 1901.
There is no “cut-off” date for the octagon top receiver frames. They were manufactured (and used) for many years coincidently with the round frame ring receivers. In fact, there were (4) unique types of high-wall receiver frames in use from day one of production;
1. Thick-side octagon top
2. Thick-side round top
3. Panel-side octagon top
4. Panel-side round top
Ultimately, the Panel-side round top receiver frame type was the most common type used for the Single Shot rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 26, 2025
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Thank you Bert. the rifle I own has a round top panel side receiver. I understand that this is the most common version of the 1885. The condition of the case colors on my receiver is similar to the receiver in your third picture. My 1885 also has a 30 in. #3 octagon barrel with all factory markings sharp. The sights it came with appear the be a Lyman #5 front globe sight with ivory bead, and a semi-buckhorn rear sight. The Lyman globe is in good condition, but the globe is out-of-round.
I’ll post the serial number in the next day or so and would appreciate your help filling in the details.
I do plan to shoot the rifle with cast bullets an moderate loads of smokeless powder, but haven’t got that far yet.
April 15, 2005
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The 30-inch No. 3 octagon barrel was standard for majority of the calibers found on the high-wall rifles. The Lyman No. 5 Combination sight was most likely installed after the fact, but it could be original.
My load choice for the 38-55 cartridge is a 255-gr hard cast GC bullet loaded with 24 grains of IMR 4198. I recommend starting with 22 grains and work up slowly from there.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Hey Bert,
Out of curiosity, in reading this post. What year and serial number, do you have recorded in you’re High Wall survey, with an Octagon top?
According to much of your great information in “The Red Book’, that you and Larry published, a total of nearly 140,000 model 1885 S.S. rifles were mfg., from 9/1885 to 6/1920.
Those thick paneled sides, and octagon tops, always impressed me! As those round top, thick sides don’t depress me either! 
Thanks,
Anthony
April 15, 2005
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1. Thick-side octagon ring – s/n 60307 (January 1893)
2. Thick-side round ring – s/n/ 139566 (1920)
3. Panel-side octagon ring – s/n 127131 (1918)
The use of the various types of high-wall frames was very scattered throughout the Single Shot production run, and the information above is based solely on my physical observations. Of the nearly 140,000 Single Shot receiver frames manufactured, just 42% of them were of the high-wall variant.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Thanks Bert!
I value the additional information!
Anthony
August 26, 2025
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Bert,
I sent you a PM with the serial number of my rifle. It was a few thousand higher than I remembered. Any help you can provide me is much appreciated.
August 26, 2025
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Bert,
In addition, what is the make and model of the peep sight mounted on the rifle in the last picture in your thread above?
April 15, 2005
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rbrettallen said
Bert,
In addition, what is the make and model of the peep sight mounted on the rifle in the last picture in your thread above?
It is a very early 2nd variation Lyman No. 1. The sight was factory installed on my January 1887 manufactured 40-90 Ballard Fancy Sporting Rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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I think for many of us collectors, when we see an early style tang sight, in many cases the fine knurling, on the adjustment thimble, is a very good indication, that it’s an early tang sight!
It’s a well known fact to most experienced collectors that the later style, particularly, “The Lyman Tang Sight”, has a courser style knurling, that was used on the adjustment thimble!
Bert, thanks for posting that!
Anthony
August 26, 2025
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Bert,
Yes, thanks. I am not a collector, but definitely an enthusiast. My grandfather shared his passion for single shot rifles, particularly Winchesters, with me when I was younger. He had a Browning B78 re-barreled by Shilen into 38-55 that we hand-loaded for and shot together in the 1980s. He gifted me that rifle before he passed.
Do you think that the serial number I sent will allow you to look up the details of my 1885?
Thanks again!
April 15, 2005
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rbrettallen said
Bert,
Yes, thanks. I am not a collector, but definitely an enthusiast. My grandfather shared his passion for single shot rifles, particularly Winchesters, with me when I was younger. He had a Browning B78 re-barreled by Shilen into 38-55 that we hand-loaded for and shot together in the 1980s. He gifted me that rifle before he passed.
Do you think that the serial number I sent will allow you to look up the details of my 1885?
Thanks again!
I replied to your email message with the details…
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 26, 2025
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Yes you did. I tried to edit my post to reflect this, but I do not have the permission. Guess it is time to join WCA.
Thanks again!
April 15, 2005
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rbrettallen said
Yes you did. I tried to edit my post to reflect this, but I do not have the permission. Guess it is time to join WCA.
Thanks again!
You are welcome, and yes, it is time to become a WACA member! 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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