Old Winchester .22 single shot info needed

[VUPDblue]

I have never seen anything like this before and have no idea about it at all. It is marked Winchester and that’s all I know. Any knowledge is appreciated.

 

[Mongo59]

It looks like an 1885...

 

[Mongo59]

If it is then it was the first of many designs of John Moses Browning sold to Winchester.

 

[steif]

Yep, it is a low wall 1885 model. https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...-the-winchester-model-1885-single-shot-rifle/ A winchester that is pretty pricey among collectors, that looks pretty nice. The bores on these sometimes are terrible because of the old black powder or corrosive rimfire ammo they had back then.

 

[VUPDblue]

I have the opportunity to buy it but the seller has not gotten back with me on price. He is not a gun guy at all and the rifle is part of a family member's estate that he is trying to liquidate. He sent me a message that basically said "I have a few old guns and I know you're into that stuff".

 

[Mongo59]

DING DING DING! These are great guns, easy to work on and the craftsmanship is very apparent. Check the bore as steif said. The wood screw in the wrist isn't good but what the hey. I have sleeved one for a friend in the past and it turned out to be a tack driver.
These were from the era of "church shoots". In the early 1900's EVERYONE would load up the Stevens and Winnies and go to a church picnic. After the eats were gone the men would walk out and set up targets and all would shoot. Stevens even marketed several for the women shooters and obviously the kids also. A different time...
Most have an upper tang already tapped for a peep which gives you a monsterous site radius. Mmmmm mmmmm! Good luck.

 

[VUPDblue]

If the price is right I’ll pick it up just because it’s interesting and I don’t have anything like it.

 

[Mongo59]

Yes, there is always the novelty of having a single shot made by a repeating arms company....

 

[Mgderf]

VUPD,
Is that chambered for .22short?
Most of the 1885 Low-Walls were.

I have one that has been modified to shoot sillouettes.
Mine wears a monte Carlo style stock with a heavy cheeck weld, but that's not all.
Mine was re-barreled years ago using a Winchester model 52 barrel, so it now shoots .22lr, and it is deadly accurate.

It is just sooo much fun going through the motions and a slow-paced plink,plink,plink...
I stole mine. I gave a friend who needed cash what he asked for it, but I knew when I paid him it was worth more than the $200 I gave him.

I will never sell that rifle.
It's just too much fun.

Good luck. I hope you can get your hands on that thing.
You won't be disappointed as long as it's in good shape.

 

[HCALREF]

I have always wanted one of those.

 

[Mgderf]

So, VU, did you end up with the Low-Wall?
Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[indiucky]

John Moses Browning's first commercial success.......You'll love it....

 

[indianamoon]

Low walls are great! I see lots of high walls, own 5 or 6, but lows are really scarce. I think that I only have 2, a Winder musket in 22 and a custom in Hornet. Sweer little rifle

 

[VUPDblue]

still waiting on the seller to give me a price

 

[VUPDblue]

Well that was coincidental, he messaged me about thirty seconds after that last post. So he has 4 old rifles and wants to sell as a lot. Wants a grand for all four. I think I can sell the other three and make my money back, essentially getting the low wall for free.

 

[Mgderf]

Well that was coincidental, he messaged me about thirty seconds after that last post. So he has 4 old rifles and wants to sell as a lot. Wants a grand for all four. I think I can sell the other three and make my money back, essentially getting the low wall for free.

Well now, that's better than a poke in the eye!
Let me know what the other three are.
Maybe I'll help you make some of your money back...