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LOT 3038
Desirable Documented Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1885 High Wall
Schuetzen Single Shot Rifle with Winchester A5 Scope and Factory Letter - Serial no. 78858, 32-40 WCF cal., 30 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. This is a very attractive special order example of a Winchester deluxe Model 1885 Schuetzen rifle that was manufactured in 1897. The included factory
letter lists the rifle in .32-40 caliber, with a No. 4 weight 30 inch octagon barrel, Schuetzen set trigger, mid-range vernier and wind gauge sights, “no rear seat”, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a Swiss buttplate when received at the warehouse on 22 June 1897 and shipped the same day in order number 8699. There is a later applied Winchester factory oval proof visible on the receiver ring, indicating that
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3039
this rifle was returned to the factory. The two line address and patent date marking is visible on the top flat of the barrel, partially obscured by the front scope block, caliber marking on the upper left flat at the breech, and the “4” barrel weight mark is on the bottom flat just in front of the forearm. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked “4009XXX CPM 687” (4009 scored out), and “4009” is repeated on the buttstock under the buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a globe “wind gauge” front sight and two scope blocks, with the rings on the scope blocks fitted with an included Winchester A5 scope. There is a mid-range peep sight fitted on the
upper tang. It is mounted with a nicely figured, H-pattern checkered, Schnabel tip forearm with ebony insert and a palm rest, as well as a checkered pistol grip stock with cheek piece and a nickeled Swiss buttplate. It is equipped with double set “Schuetzen” set triggers.
CONDITION: Very fine, the barrel retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with some light edge/muzzle wear, 85% plus of the factory refinished blue on the receiver, and traces of the vibrant original case colors on the lever with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina. The wood is also very fine with a few scattered minor handling marks, retaining almost all of the varnish, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The scope retains most of the blue finish with slightly dirty optics and a crisp cross hair. A very attractive example of a special order Winchester deluxe Model 1885 rifle!
Extremely Rare Documented Special Order Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall Swiss Butt
Single Shot Sporting Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 98810, 22 short cal., 28 inch octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The included Winchester factory letter shows it was originally shipped on
May 15, 1905, and then returned for repairs (we think reworked) and reshipped February 14, 1906. The letter
supports the configuration as a single shot rifle in 22 Short with a 28 inch #2 octagon barrel, no rear sight barrel seat,
Swiss buttplate and Lyman rear cup disc sight with the Pope style windage adjustable, target head. Interestingly, the letter states that the globe front sight was supplied by the customer. Currently, the rifle has several additional special order/deluxe features
not identified by the letter that we feel were installed during the “repair and return” phase noted in the factory letter. It now has a Winchester factory single set trigger, Winchester spur lever trigger guard for a DST, and smooth pistol grip stock with second model Winchester pattern nickel plated buttplate. The forend was at one time fitted for a palm rest as there are two small holes on
the underside where the base would have been attached; however, it has been removed and is not included with the rifle. The pistol grip is fitted with a Winchester grip cap, and the forend has the standard ebony insert into the front end. Based on the originality of this rifle, we are certain the additional features not covered in the original factory letter were installed in that return and repair period. Additionally,
this rifle has a very interesting combination of special features, like the standard walnut wood, pistol grip stock but no checkering, a single set trigger with a double set trigger spur lever and the customer supplied front sight; its almost like the original owner wanted some special order features for target/Schuetzen shooting but could only afford certain features. Regardless, the rifle has remained in exceptional
condition for the last 118 years!
CONDITION: Extremely fine with 90% plus original blue finish, edge and high spot wear, and some flaking on the right side of the upper part of the receiver. The breech block and hammer retain 40% factory case colors,
while the spur lever retains 75% case colors with the balance a silver patina. The stock and forend are fine with 90% factory varnish overall and some minor handling marks and light dings on the sides in various areas, and the left side of the stock has numerous light scratches/indents in the wood, which was probably from a lapel pin or button that rubbed against the stock during shooting. Mechanically excellent. A very interesting and unusual special order Winchester Model 1885 rifle.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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