North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Legends of the West: Western & Native American Sale

Sat, Sep 23, 2023 11:00AM EDT
Lot 235

US Winchester Model 1885 Musket .22 LR Rifle

Estimate: $750 - $1,500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
Featured in this lot is an U.S. Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall musket chambered in .22 Long Rifle. The rifle features a 28-inch round barrel with a covered front sight and Lyman precision receiver sight. The Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Model 1885 is a single-shot falling-block action, which was offered in two distinct variations, the Low Wall and the High Wall, and was designed by John Browning and produced from 1885-1918. In 1883, Thomas G. Bennet, the Vice-President, and General Manager of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, traveled to Ogden, Utah to meet with the Browning Brother’s about the negotiation and purchase of the single-shot design, as well as a prototype of what would become the Model 1886 lever action. This meeting began what was to be a very fruitful 20-year Winchester and Browning collaboration. The rifle was produced to satisfy the demands created for the growing sport of long-range “Match Shooting” and was dominated by the single-shot giants, such as Sharps, Remington, Stevens, Maynard, and Ballard. They entered as not only competitors, but also excelled, with Major Ned H. Roberts (inventor of the .257 Roberts cartridge) describing the Model 1885 as “the most reliable, strongest, and altogether best single shot rifle ever produced”. The action was considered so strong and trustworthy that Winchester used the Model 1885 as the test rifle for all new large calibers. The rifle features the band fastened grooved full length walnut forearm and straight grip sportier style walnut stock with original crescent steel butt plate. The rifle receiver shows some of the original finish color fading to a gray coloration, with the barrel having the same dark original finish and some gray. The wood shows patina from wear and use. The bore is bright with good rifling. Serial Number: 123178. This firearm qualifies as a Curio & Relic firearm and requires FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.

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