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November 21, 2025
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I picked up this 1885 high wall in 25-35 a couple of days back. It has been suggested that this configuration may be rare. Any thoughts?
Jack
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
November 21, 2025
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The scope blocks that came with it were .475 wide instead on the Unertl/Lyman,etc .465 standard. The Winchester barrel stamps are offset so as to not be under the blocks. Is this an indication that the blocks were a factory install?
Thanks
Jack
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
April 15, 2005
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BPJACK said
The scope blocks that came with it were .475 wide instead on the Unertl/Lyman,etc .465 standard. The Winchester barrel stamps are offset so as to not be under the blocks. Is this an indication that the blocks were a factory install?
Thanks
Jack
No, it is not an indication the scope blocks are factory. Winchester had moved the barrel roll markings to the left side of the barrels on all of the post 1907 production rifles.
What is the serial number on that rifle? That will tell me when it was manufactured, and possibly what the original configuration of the rifle was.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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BP JACK,
Nice rifle. I like the configuration, and all, but to me, it doesn’t look like the for end wood being lighter, and the T/D part of the receiver being shiny and a vastly different worn color, to be original to the gun.I feel the barrel and it’s adjoining parts, forearm and the T/D receiver, are possibly original to itself, by what I see, but further examination, would verify that. IMO!
For me if the price was right, in my mind, I would have bought it also. Not knocking you’re rifle, just stating some facts. I like the caliber, as less than 100 we’re mfg in that caliber.
Getting Bert, the serial number for his survey here, can help to identify you’re rifle more, as he is the Expert on these 1885 S.S. Rifles.
I’m anxious to hear more.
Thanks for Sharing!
Anthony
March 31, 2009
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Is there something attached to the bottom of the barrel in front of the forearm?
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
Is there something attached to the bottom of the barrel in front of the forearm?
It appears that a dovetail filler has been installed. At some time in the past, a sling-eye was installed on that barrel. Winchester offered two types of sling-eye attachments for the Single Shot rifle barrels (octagon and round barrel). The type for the octagon barrels required a milled dovetail slot on the bottom flat of the barrel. The sling-eye type for the round barrels was a cup that was then silver-soldered to the barrel.
Round barrel type;
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 21, 2025
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There is a dovetail filler.
Bert,
you may have this serial number in your records from the guy I bought it from.
the number is 108853
this is high wall #18 in my current stable. Most of the others are parts guns with newer barrels. I do have an all original HW musket (scope blocks added). I will have to check the date and see if the Winchester stamps are on top or on the side.
jack
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
April 15, 2005
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BPJACK said
There is a dovetail filler.
Bert,
you may have this serial number in your records from the guy I bought it from.
the number is 108853
this is high wall #18 in my current stable. Most of the others are parts guns with newer barrels. I do have an all original HW musket (scope blocks added). I will have to check the date and see if the Winchester stamps are on top or on the side.
jack
This rifle started out as a 32-40 with a 30″ octagon barrel, but it made at least two trips back to the factory. If you would be willing, take the forend stock off and take a clear picture(s) of all the markings found on the bottom of the barrel and send them to my email – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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Bert H. said
Chuck said
Is there something attached to the bottom of the barrel in front of the forearm?
It appears that a dovetail filler has been installed. At some time in the past, a sling-eye was installed on that barrel. Winchester offered two types of sling-eye attachments for the Single Shot rifle barrels (octagon and round barrel). The type for the octagon barrels required a milled dovetail slot on the bottom flat of the barrel. The sling-eye type for the round barrels was a cup that was then silver-soldered to the barrel.
Round barrel type;Bert
Here’s one on a 85 octagon barrel.
January 27, 1992
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It seems like the majoriety of the 1885 rifles in 25-35 caliber are take-downs. RDB
April 15, 2005
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rogertherelic said
It seems like the majoriety of the 1885 rifles in 25-35 caliber are take-downs. RDB
Not based on the survey of the factory records, but I agree that those that are being found recently have trended in that direction.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
