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LOT 69
Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model
1885 High Wall Single Shot Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 35556,
32-40 WCF cal., 30 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1889, this is an exceptionally fine example of the John Moses Browning
designed, Winchester Model 1885 falling block rifle. These rifles were based on Browning’s very first
firearm design and went on to be an extremely successful model for Winchester well into the 20th century, particularly
among competitive target shooters, who valued the extensive list of special order options available on these rifles. A rifle such as
this one would have been a treasured piece for a turn of the century off-hand target shooter. The included factory letter lists this rifle in .32-
40 caliber with a No. 3 weight, 30 inch, half-octagon barrel, a set trigger, and a checkered pistol grip stock when received at the warehouse on 4
September 1889, and shipped on 14 September 1889 in order number 1315. The top barrel flat is marked with the standard two-line address and
the caliber marking at the breech. The “3” barrel weight marking is on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the forearm and again under the forearm. The lower tang is
marked with the single line patent date and the serial number. The left side of the lower tang is marked with the assembly number “2813 XXX”, and the stock inlet is marked “2813”.
It is fitted with a windage adjustable globe front sight, a blank filler in the rear sight dovetail, and a mid-range Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a very
finely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert at the base of the grip and a replacement nickeled Swiss buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish, 85% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 30% of the original nickel on the buttplate with some light edge wear,
some scattered light handling marks, and the balance on the buttplate an attractively aged brass. The restored wood is very fine with a series of short hairline cracks at the rear of the tang,
a spliced piece at the toe, and some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Felix A. Bedlan Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 70
Exceptional Documented Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall Musket - Serial no.
125455, 22 LR cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. A late production low wall musket
with second generation features such as a single barrel band and contoured forearm with finger grooves. The barrel
has a blade front sight and lacks provisions for a rear sight. There are also standard Winchester markings including the factory
oval proofs, Lyman No. 41 receiver peep sight (note the factory proof on the receiver is offset to accommodate the sight), steel forend
cap, and sling swivels. An original period factory instruction tag is still on the buttstock. This musket is pictured in John Campbell’s “The
Winchester Single-Shot” on page 154. The photo clearly shows the instruction tag.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retaining 99% original blue finish showing some high edge wear contained to the buttplate and limited handling
evidence. The wood is also in excellent condition with a small missing surface chip near the upper tang; otherwise, a couple minor handling
marks. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional low wall musket for your Winchester or single shot collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
As pictured & described in
The Winchester Single-Shot by Campbell
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