Page 25 - 4092-BOOK2-FLIPBOOK

23
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE WINCHESTER SINGLE SHOT RIFLE BY CAMPBELL
LOT 1019
Exceptional Documented Special Order Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall
Takedown Musket with Factory Letter - Serial no. 111839, 22 short cal., 30 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1911, this is absolutely a stunning and extremely rare “British Special Order” Winchester Model 1885 low wall, three band musket with the rare takedown feature, one of the rarest features ever found on low wall rifles. This rifle is one of only five known factory low walls of this type documented by Winchester. Three examples of these muskets are pictured
on pages 154 and 155 in the book “The Winchester Single Shot Rifle” by Campbell. Although the rifle is pictured on page 155 lacks a serial number in the caption, it could in fact be this exact rifle! These
rifles were reportedly manufactured by Winchester under a special order contract basis for evaluation by the British Government in the WWI era; theoretically intending them to be used by the British Home Guard, probably
for training purposes, just as the U.S. Government was doing with the early Winder Muskets. The accompanying factory letter states the serial number for this rifle was applied on September 9, 1911. The included Buffalo Bill Historical Center letter (photocopy) states this rifle “was submitted to His Britannic Majesty’s Purchasing Commission (J.P. Morgan Bank acting as agent) as a proposed model for use by the English Home Guard” and confirms the caliber, takedown feature and low wall action. The no. 1 barrel is fitted with pinned blade front and folding ladder rear sights and is marked with the two-line address/ patent dates followed by the two-line nickel steel marking and “22 SHORT” on the left side. It is very interesting to see the nickel steel marking as this factory stamping was usually reserved for center fire cartridges when Winchester was transitioning from black powder to smokeless powder and therefore was not usually seen on .22 rimfire rifles. A Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech. It has a standard straight grip stock and very rare full length musket type forearm that has two barrel bands and a nose cap that also function as a barrel band, making this a three band musket. A set of factory sling swivels is mounted on the underside of the buttstock and middle barrel band. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original blue finish showing minor loss on the heel of the buttplate. A few specks of surface rust are visible on the takedown ring. 90% original vivid case colors remain on the breech block and lever and have darkened slightly with age. A coat of protective oil has been applied to some of the metal surfaces. The wood is also excellent showing some residue behind the middle band (right side) and minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. A very rare rifle missing from even the most
advanced single shot or Winchester collections. A true one of five known three band Low Wall muskets ever manufactured! Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
According to "The Winchester Single Shot Rifle" by Campbell, only 5 "British Special Order" Winchester 1885 Low Wall Takedown Muskets were produced for evaluation by the British Government.