1885 HIGH WALL .22 LONG RIFLE TWO BAND FIRST MODEL MUSKET WITH FACTORY LETTER, #101XXX, SHIPPED 1911. The first model musket had two barrel bands and is considered more desirable than the second model which had a single band and finger grooves down each side of the forend. The factory letter on this one states that it is a Musket, .22 LR caliber, barrel length 25" inches (obviously a misreading of the records as they were made with 28" barrels), barrel shape: #1, Sights: Special rear sight, received in the warehouse March 18, 1911 and shipped August 30, 1911. Interestingly, The Winchester Handbook, by George Madis, states that few muskets were chambered in .22 Long Rifle before serial number 100000, making this a very early so chambered musket. This example has correct British proof marks on the receiver, breech block and barrel. At the time, Great Britain had a strong gun culture with their military as well as many schools and organizations promoting target shooting. The Winchester single shot Model 1885 "Highwall" musket imported from America was considered one of the finest military-style training arms of the time. It differed from the Winchester "Lowall" single shot by having the receiver sides or "walls" rise nearly to the top of the hammer while the lowall receiver side-wall was cut down flush to the hammer base. The Highwall action has always been considered stronger than the Lowall and is in higher demand today on the collector market. The Winchester 1885 Highwall Single Shot Musket would have been considerably more expensive than the usual Martini action British .22 trainers that were more common at the time. Examples of the Winchester 1885 highwall found today with British proof marks are considered rare. It is also very possible that this musket was further shipped from England to South Africa, Australia or India where the British maintained armed forces who would have required firearms training. The special order rear sight on this fine rifle, as mentioned in the factory letter, is a tangent style with ladder and slide. Overall, the finish on this Winchester is outstanding. The barrel shows nearly all the deep blue with only very minor wear around the muzzle end. The receiver also shows fine deep blue with edge wear and some browning on the receiver ring and upper tang. Stock and forend are the rich reddish-brown Winchester trademark color and show only light handling marks mainly on the forend. Wood shows tight wood to metal fit, indicating it has not been refinished or sanded. Sling swivels on each barrel band and on the butt stock are correct and original. There is even some light case color on the upper portion of the lever. The lever spring is a little weak when the hammer is down, but snaps into place when the lever is lifted and the hammer is cocked. As seems typical on most of these, the bore is dark with visible rifling that might clean/brush out better. The left side of the barrel is marked "22 LONG R." In all, a very interesting, attractive and fascinating Pre-W.W.I training rifle that went to England in 1911, and perhaps to the far reaches of the British Empire. Extraordinary finish combined with rarity make this a remarkably intriguing 112 year old piece of Winchester as well as British history! Winchester letter included. Serial Number: 101589. This firearm qualifies as an antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.*