Beautiful Custom Winchester 1885 Low Wall Schuetzen Rifle .25 WCF 28" Falling Block Our Assessment: When they were first manufactured, the John Browning designed Winchester Model 1885 rifles were deemed stronger than the prior Sharps rifles, and the different sight and trigger options available made them an instant hit with hunters and target shooters alike. The Model 1885 rifles were targeted at competitors in "Match Shooting", a sport which was extremely popular from about 1871 to 1917. The Winchester rifles challenged the Sharps, Remington, Maynard and Ballard rifles, and quickly became known for their reliability and accuracy. Major Ned Roberts, inventor of the .257 Roberts cartridge, described the Model 1885 as "the most reliable, strongest and altogether best single shot rifle ever produced". Alternately translated as "shooter" and "marksman", Schuetzen also refers to a German shooting sport from the turn of the 20th century. As with many types of firearms, gunmakers took the design and manufacture of Schuetzen rifles to the extreme, with elaborately carved stocks, engraved receivers, and capable of astounding precision. This Winchester 1885 Low Wall has been transformed into a work of art and is simply beautiful. It is now a Schuetzen rifle with double set triggers and has been rechambered and rebored for .25 WCF. The lever has been customized to represent Winchester's final style of Schuetzen lever. The metal has been restored to a vibrant case color and soft blue. It has been set in beautiful checkered walnut stocks and is topped with nice iron sights and a Lyman 5A scope. Not only does it look gorgeous, but it should shoot well too! The bore is bright with sharp rifling and is free of erosion. This will be a nice addition to any collection! Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Winchester
Model: Custom Schuetzen 1885 Low Wall
Serial Number: 35101
Year of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: .25 WCF, Rechambered
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Barrel Length: 28" Octagonal No. 1 Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a folding globe sight with a post inside the globe and a white beaded blade when flipped down. The front sight is dovetailed into the barrel. The rear of the barrel is installed with a spirit bubble level in its dovetail cut. The top tang is installed with a folding Lyman aperture peep sight. The top of the barrel is installed with target bases and a pair of rings holding a Lyman No. 5 scope. The scope has some minor marks and finish wear to the surfaces. The scope has a crosshair and the glass is clear. The scope rates in Fine condition. The top and sides of the barrel have been matted for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The custom stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with fleur de lis accents. The stocks have an "S'' bottom pistol grip, straight comb, cheekpiece, perch belly, Schuetzen palm rest, and metal Schuetzen buttplate. The fitment is shy in areas and proud in others. There are a few light handling marks and minor compressions. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 12 3/8" and 11 1/2" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a few areas of erosion and marks in the metal. There are a few little spots of discoloration. The case color is strong. Overall, the stocks are in Fine Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In my opinion, this bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The top of the receiver has a blindly filled hole. The top and top shoulders of the octagonal barrel have been textured for glare reduction. There are a couple light marks. The bottom tang is proud to the receiver. There are some scattered little areas of discoloration from previous oxidation and a few spots of light erosion on the frame which are under the finish. There are some light machining marks on the muzzle. The markings are clear and were remarked at the time of restoration. The screwheads show light use. Overall, this rifle is in excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. When set, the trigger is light. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is the previously described scope.
CA LEGAL: ANTIQUE
RIFLE