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LOT 1075
Very Scarce Winchester Model 1885 High Wall 20 Gauge Takedown Shotgun
- Serial no. 114200, 20 gauge, 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1913, this is a very
fine example of a rare Winchester Model 1885 shotgun. The Winchester Model 1885 is based on John Moses
Browning’s first of many firearms patents and was produced in a wide variety of rifle calibers and configurations. However,
Winchester also produced a small number of Model 1885s as 20 gauge shotguns in the early 20th century. There are Winchester factory oval
proofs on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The upper left of the barrel is marked with the two-line address/patent marking, the nickel steel
marking, 20 gauge marking, and the choke marked as “FULL”. The upper tang has the three-line patent/trademark marking and the serial number is on the
lower tang. It is fitted with a single brass bead sight and is in takedown configuration. It is mounted with a smooth Schnabel tip forearm with ebony insert and non-factory sling swivel
eye, as well as a straight grip stock with a non-factory sling swivel eye and a checkered hard rubber buttplate. It has a 13 3/8 inch length of pull and the chamber appears to be 3 inches.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish and traces of original case colors on the breech block with some light wear/thinning, most noticeably on edges and the takedown collar.
The wood is also very fine with a few scattered minor handling marks and some light edge chips on the buttplate. Mechanically excellent. A rare 20 gauge shotgun variation of the Winchester Model 1885
that is absent from many collections!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 1076
Scarce Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Takedown .22 LR Musket - Serial no. 106012, 22 LR cal., 28
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1907 as a desirable paneled coil spring takedown
Model 1885 High Wall “Winder Musket” with second generation features: single barrel band and contoured
forearm with finger grooves. The barrel has a globe front sight and military style ladder rear sight graduated to 2,000 yards.
There are also standard Winchester markings including the factory oval proofs, a steel forend cap, and sling swivels.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with high edge wear and a refinished buttplate with an
artificial brown patina over pitting. The wood is excellent with some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1074
Desirable London Armoury Retailed Winchester Model 1885 High Wall
Single Shot Rifle in Rare .40-110 Express with Factory Letter - Serial no.
16676, 40 Express cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured 1887, this is a fine example of a Winchester Model 1885 High Wall
rifle chambered in the scarce and desirable .40-110 Express caliber. Bert Hartman’s
survey in the Winter 2021 edition of “The Winchester Collector” indicates that
only 209 rifles were made in .40 Express (.40-110). These Winchester 1885s were
based on the earlier design by the legendary John Browning and were offered in a plethora of configurations and
calibers, with .40 Express being one of the more rare offerings. A rifle in this caliber would have been highly valued in the
American west for its accuracy, simplicity, and power, with the .40 Express being quite capable of dispatching even the most
dangerous game the frontier had to offer. Given the British proofs and London Armoury cartouche on this example, it appears that
this same accuracy and power were also highly valued on the distant frontiers of the British Empire in the late 19th century, and was
likely acquired by a British officer for hunting while deployed in a distant land. The included factory letter lists the rifle as having its
serial number applied on October 28, 1887, and lists it in .40 Express caliber with a No. 3 weight 30 inch round barrel, plain trigger, and
a shotgun buttplate when received at the warehouse on November 10, 1887 and shipped on November 17, 1887 in order number 24024.
The barrel is marked with the “3” weight on the bottom in front of the forearm, while the two-line address and “40 EX.” caliber marking are on top. There are British proof marks on the left of the barrel and receiver at the
breech. There is a London Armoury/James Kerr & Co. cartouche on the right side of the stock. The lower tang has the patent marking and the serial number. It is fitted with a “Rocky Mountain” blade front sight and an elevation
adjustable notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth Schnabel tip forearm with an ebony insert and a straight grip stock with a smooth shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the thinned original blue finish and 85% plus of the original case colors with some brown freckling/spotting scattered throughout, a couple patches of polished mild pitting/oxidation near the
muzzle, and the buttplate a brown patina with mild pitting/oxidation. The wood is very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of a Model 1885 High Wall
rifle in the seldom seen .40 Express!
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 1077
Attractive Antique Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall Rifle in .32 WCF - Serial no. 66748, 32 WCF cal.,
28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1894. The no. 1 barrel is fitted with
a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation buckhorn rear sight and is marked with the two-line Winchester
address ahead of the rear sight and caliber designation “32 W.C.F.” at the breech. Casehardened receiver with lower
tang having the patent date marking and serial number. Plain straight grip stock with casehardened crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 60% original blue finish mostly fading to a plum color. The receiver retains 70% original case colors. The
remaining surfaces retain 30% original case colors. There are a few small patches of spotting/pitting and the upper tang screw is long. The wood is also fine
with a couple of stress lines at the upper tang and some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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