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LOT 1048
Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall Falling Block Rifle in .25 W.C.F.
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 45082, 25 WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1891, this is a fantastic, special ordered example of Winchester’s “Low
Wall” Model 1885 rifle. These rifles were some of the most desirable among competitive shooters around the turn of
the century, in large part due to the plethora of special order features and different configurations available. The included
factory letter lists this rifle in .25 W.C.F. caliber with a No. 1 weight, 28 inch, octagon barrel, a set trigger, mid-rang and
windgauge sights, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a Swiss buttplate when received at the warehouse on 30 March
1891, and shipped the next day in order number 2346. Additionally, it lists a return and repair date of 6 July 1891, and
reshipment on 31 July 1891. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech. The bottom of the barrel
has the “1” barrel weight marking just in front of the forearm, and “W.C.F.” and oval “VP” under the forearm. The lower tang is marked with the patent date and the serial number.
The left side of the lower tang is marked with the assembly number “159 XXX”, with “159” repeated in the stock inlet. The number “22” is stamped inside the forearm. It is fitted with a
windage adjustable “windgauge” globe front sight with spirit level, an elevation adjustable No. 24 “Sporting” notch rear sight, a mid-range Vernier peep sight, and a single set trigger. It is
mounted with a very nicely figured, Schnabel tip, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert at the base of the grip and a nickeled Swiss buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% of the faded original blue finish and 75% of the vibrant original case colors with some light muzzle/edge wear and the balance of the receiver mostly grey
patina. The wood is also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Felix A. Bedlan Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1047
Very Fine Antique Special Order Winchester
Deluxe Model 1885 High Wall Single Shot
Schuetzen Rifle in .32-40 W.C.F. with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 81650, 32-40 WCF cal., 30 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in
1898, this is a very attractive example of an antique, special ordered, deluxe
Winchester Model 1885 High Wall schuetzen rifle. These Model 1885s
were highly valued as target rifles during the peak of the competition
shooting craze of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America and
Europe. Between being chambered in one of the most highly regarded competition cartridges
of the time and its plethora of special order Schuetzen features, there is little doubt that this rifle was
ordered by a discerning target shooter. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .32-40 caliber with a 30 inch
No. 3 weight octagon barrel, a “S Set” trigger, mid-range and wind gauge sights, spur lever, palm rest, “target”,
checkered pistol grip stock, a helm buttplate, and a cheek piece on the right side (non-existant). The top of the No.
3 weight barrel is marked with the two-line address and the caliber marking is at the breech. The “3” barrel weight
marking is on the bottom flat of the barrel in front of the forearm. The patent
date marking and serial number are marked on the lower tang. The left side of the
lower tang is marked “5627 XXX SBC”, with “5627” repeated on the butt of the stock and
inside the buttplate. The “SB” likely denotes the “Swiss butt” (called a “helm buttplate” by
Winchester) as well as a “C” for “cheekpiece”. It appears likely that the factory noted the ordered
cheekpiece in the ledgers and on the gun, but then did not fit the stock with it for reasons
unknown. It is fitted with a windage adjustable/”windgauge” globe front sight with a spirit level, no provision for a rear sight on the barrel, and a Vernier mid-range peep sight mounted
on the upper tang. It is also fitted with a Schuetzen double set trigger. It is mounted with a very finely figured, H-pattern checkered, Schnabel tip forearm with an ebony insert and a
mounting plate for the included palm rest and an equally finely figured, checkered pistol grip stock with a hard rubber grip cap and a casehardened helm buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with a couple very small spots of light surface pitting and some faint edge wear. 90% plus of the original case colors remain on
the action and lever, with the buttplate mostly a smooth grey patina. The wood is excellent with some scattered very light compression and handling marks, crisp checkering, and almost all the original
varnish. Mechanically excellent. This is a fantastic example of Winchester Model 1885 rifle special ordered with a plethora of competition shooting features!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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