Winchester 1885 Provenance

[lakers1138]

I recently bought a Winchester 1885 single-shot rifle from a chap in Alberta (rifle pictured below). He – in turn – had purchased it from a fellow in New Brunswick (approx. 5 years ago). Unfortunately, the NB owner’s contact data was lost in a recent software upgrade. Consequently, I now appeal to the CGN readers at large in order to hopefully trace the provenance of this rifle.

This rifle has no serial number (presumably pre-1968 manufacture) and was made by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven, Conn. It has “22 H” (Hornet?) stamped on its full-octagonal barrel, but has been re-worked to shoot .22LR ammunition. It has a strong ejection capability . . . an after-production modification. It has a BSA front post sight and unmarked, folding tang sight.

Might any of you readers have owned this rifle at one time? . . . . and are willing to educate me on your experience with it? (Also, from whom/when you purchased it? How many rounds put through it? Yada-yada-yada). Alternatively, some reader may have seen this rifle over the years in the hands of another shooter and can provide some background that might lead me further down the discovery path. PM me if you can help.

 

[gunlaker]

All Winchester 1885's came with a serial number stamped into the lower tang. Since the lower tang is removable, often parts would get swapped around. Winchester used to sell lower tangs, usually for upgrades to single or double set triggers. They left the serial numbers off so that gunsmiths could reapply the serial number. This is probably what happened with your rifle. Is there a screw ( or screw hole ) behind the trigger in the lower tang?

I hope you find your provinence info. That would have been an uncommon rifle as the majority were straight grip. Those look like factory sling attachment points, also a not particularly common option. The Swiss butt is not rare, but a nice option.

 

[HuskyDude]

If you remove the front stock, are there any hidden proof marks on the lower side of the barrel that might help?

Could post up on rimfire

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/1890-winchester-serial-info.567576/

Or contact Winchester themselves

https://www.winchesterguns.com/support/contact.html​

 

[cuslog]

Looks to be what is known as a "low wall", a configuration used for lower powered cartridges.
If its original Winchester manufacture (which it does appear to be), I believe Winchester stopped manufacture of the Winchester Single shot rifle somewhere around the 1930's.
Browning and a couple different Italian mfrs. made similar (though not exact) copies though yours does appear to be original Winchester .

 

[lakers1138]

To address several queries in prior postings:

a. there is NO serial number stamped on the lower tang;
b. the lower tang has stamped "Pat. Oct. 7th 79";
c. there are 2 screws in the lower tang behind the trigger;
d. there are NO proof marks on the barrel under the forestock.

 

[gunlaker]

Definitely a tang swapped rifle. It would have been nice if it had a serial number, then you could find the original configuration. Records are available for the majority of the older serial numbered rifles, although after a certain date they were lost. The .22 Hornet makes sense as it was a chambering that was available in them. It also has the right twist for a .22lr. A number of older low walls chambered for 22 short, and .22 long have been found to be rechambered for .22lr but the twist was only 1:24 in those barrels.

It's a nice rifle. It's not at all common to find a pistol grip low wall.

Chris.