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
Winchester 1885 modified lever question
Avatar
mrcvs
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2190
Member Since:
September 22, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
April 20, 2025 - 2:07 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?

Avatar
Maverick
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2024
Member Since:
May 23, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
April 20, 2025 - 4:16 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

mrcvs said
Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?  

I suppose it depends on your definition of “more ornate”. I’m assuming you would disregard plated levers or engraved levers not in this category. 

They had a standard lever and standard lever that was longer for use with a set trigger. Then the most irregular or non-standard would be would was used on the Schutzen style rifles. 

Unmarked-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerStandard LeverUnmarked-SetTrigger-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerSet Triger Lever. These pictures are of factory gages. 

Here is a link to a factory drawing showing the Schutzen Lever.

http://library.centerofthewest.org/digital/collection/WRAC/id/10413/rec/299

Other than these styles, I’m not aware of other styles. But Bert should come along and shed light on the subject. Likely any non-standard lever is on the rare side of things.

Sincerely,

Maverick

P.S. Why do you ask? You come across something unusual looking?

Avatar
mrcvs
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2190
Member Since:
September 22, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
April 20, 2025 - 4:26 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Maverick said

mrcvs said

Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?  

I suppose it depends on your definition of “more ornate”. I’m assuming you would disregard plated levers or engraved levers not in this category. 

They had a standard lever and standard lever that was longer for use with a set trigger. Then the most irregular or non-standard would be would was used on the Schutzen style rifles. 

Unmarked-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerStandard LeverUnmarked-SetTrigger-LeverGage.jpgImage EnlargerSet Triger Lever. These pictures are of factory gages. 

Here is a link to a factory drawing showing the Schutzen Lever.

http://library.centerofthewest.org/digital/collection/WRAC/id/10413/rec/299

Other than these styles, I’m not aware of other styles. But Bert should come along and shed light on the subject. Likely any non-standard lever is on the rare side of things.

Sincerely,

Maverick

P.S. Why do you ask? You come across something unusual looking?  

From the factory drawing you provided, it appears the lever on this rifle IS factory work:

https://guns.richmondauctions.com/lots/view/5-1PNL5I/winchester-deluxe-model-1885-hi-wall-in-32-40-caliber-with-winchester-a-5-scope

Avatar
Maverick
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2024
Member Since:
May 23, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
April 20, 2025 - 5:55 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Along with the Cody letter stating the rifle to have a Schutzen Set Trigger, I’d say so as well. Looks like it was color case hardened with not much finish left. 

Avatar
Bert H.
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12843
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
April 20, 2025 - 9:32 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

mrcvs said
Did the factory ever produce modified levers that were more ornate than standard?

  

Yes they did.

In addition to the standard “S” lever, a “long loop” lever, a “Spur” lever, and a “Scroll” lever were manufactured.  The latter two lever types were standard on the Schuezten rifles.

The “long loop” lever was used on standard rifles that were ordered with a Schuetzen double set trigger.

Long Loop lever

Long-Loop-Lever.jpegImage Enlarger

 

 

Spur lever (1st & 2nd variation Schuetzen rifles)

3030-87CUL.jpgImage Enlarger

 

 

 

Scroll lever (3rd variation Schuetzen rifles)

3030-268CUL.jpgImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

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

Avatar
mrcvs
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 2190
Member Since:
September 22, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
April 20, 2025 - 12:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

I questioned the one that I posted because the barrel has been changed and the letter doesn’t mention the fancy lever, wondering if the lever was replaced when the barrel was.  A good learning example.

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: dane62, Anthony, Otisman68
Guest(s) 34
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6400
Chuck: 5799
steve004: 5155
1873man: 4693
deerhunter: 2692
Big Larry: 2546
twobit: 2491
mrcvs: 2190
Maverick: 2024
Newest Members:
usmc1978
Otisman68
Deaf Smith
niubi
Texasaggie19
Diego
Bkmkok
Leonardb
Skysquatch82
cdavis5705
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14695
Posts: 131460

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2057
Members: 9972
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Administrators: Mike Hager, Bert H., JWA, SethJ
Moderators: Rob Kassab, Brad Dunbar, Heather
Navigation