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
Question about an M1885
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 221
Member Since:
September 11, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
June 11, 2024 - 6:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I bought an M1885 High wall in caliber 38-55 today and I have a question about it:

There is a small hole in the trigger which I can’t explain. Does anyone know more about this?

Best regards

Stefan

 

PXL_2_kl.jpgImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12505
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
June 11, 2024 - 6:48 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

The trigger on your Single Shot rifle was made for a single set trigger.  The hole was milled for the set screw… is it tapped (threaded)?

Close-up-RS-View.jpegImage Enlarger

 

 

In the early production period of the Single Shot rifles, Winchester quite frequently used triggers that were predrilled for a set screw on rifles that were otherwise made for a plain (non-set) trigger.  I believe that Winchester assumed that the majority of the early Single Shot rifles would be ordered with a set trigger, so they preemptively manufactured all of the triggers for that option.  Per the factory records, your rifle was manufactured with a plain (non-set) trigger.  I have Single Shot s/n 1727 that is configured the same as your rifle, a plain (non-set) trigger, but the trigger has the hole milled in it for a set screw.

Bert

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

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

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 221
Member Since:
September 11, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
June 11, 2024 - 8:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello Bert,

That sounds plausible to me. If it had a set trigger, wouldn’t the lower part of the hammer also have to be slotted?

I will have a closer look tomorrow to see if there is a thread cut and remove the stock to see how the trigger is constructed and photograph everything.

The rifle apparently once had a Tang Sight, the screw plugs are missing and it has a folding rear sight. Can you see that in your records?

Stefan

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12505
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
June 11, 2024 - 9:05 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

steff said
Hello Bert,

That sounds plausible to me. If it had a set trigger, wouldn’t the lower part of the hammer also have to be slotted?

I will have a closer look tomorrow to see if there is a thread cut and remove the stock to see how the trigger is constructed and photograph everything.

The rifle apparently once had a Tang Sight, the screw plugs are missing and it has a folding rear sight. Can you see that in your records?

Stefan

Yes, the hammer would have a slot milled in it for the set trigger fly.

Single-set-trigger-33329.jpgImage Enlarger

 

 

The ledger record does not indicate that it had a factory installed tang sight.

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

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

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 221
Member Since:
September 11, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
June 12, 2024 - 11:39 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I inspected the rifle again today, the hole is threaded but there are no other signs of a set trigger.

Here are a few more pictures

 

PXL_20240612_105335786_kl.jpgImage EnlargerPXL_20240612_110551709_kl.jpgImage EnlargerPXL_20240612_110603519_kl.jpgImage EnlargerPXL_20240612_113347057_kl.jpgImage Enlarger

Avatar
NY
Member
Restricted
Forum Posts: 7119
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
June 13, 2024 - 12:52 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Very nice–esp like those early “hex” rcvr rings.  The owner who replaced the standard rear sight with the folding Lyman when (presumably) he mounted the tang sight it once had revealed himself to be an intelligent shooter.  If I were you, I’d search on ebay for an early Lyman #1 to return the rifle to that previous configuration.

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12505
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
June 13, 2024 - 1:48 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

steff said
I inspected the rifle again today, the hole is threaded but there are no other signs of a set trigger.

Here are a few more pictures

PXL_20240612_105335786_kl.jpgImage EnlargerPXL_20240612_110551709_kl.jpgImage EnlargerPXL_20240612_110603519_kl.jpgImage EnlargerPXL_20240612_113347057_kl.jpgImage Enlarger

That is exactly that same as my rifle s/n 1727, and several others that I have observed in the pre 3000 serial number range.

The frame ring is actually “octagon” in contour as it matches the top three flats of the octagon barrel.

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

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: Bill Hockett, 1873man, Nevada Paul, Ben, Green River Gus, Bo Rich
Guest(s) 133
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6113
Chuck: 5566
steve004: 4997
1873man: 4645
Big Larry: 2500
twobit: 2470
mrcvs: 2113
Maverick: 1908
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14362
Posts: 127611

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2012
Members: 9743
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation