Author Topic: 1885 Winchester High Wall (Read 1388 times)

marlinman93 · « **on:** April 09, 2005, 06:14:17 PM »

Well, I decided against the Uberti reproduction, and went to the gun show in Reno, Nv. instead. Found an original model 1885 Winchester High Wall! It's not perfect, but it's a pretty unique gun, with lots of special order features!
It has a pistol grip stock, xx deluxe wood, checkered, single set trigger, Swiss buttplate, half octagon .32-40 barrel, (32" long) but missing the rear sights, and the front sight is wrong.
I have an original tang sight, and rear sight, and I'll order a repro front globe for it, so it will match the factory specs. The wood is nice, but pretty dry from neglect, so I'll give it a good wipedown with linseed oil to bring it to life!
I'm pretty pleased with it, and it wasn't a lot more than a repro, so that's good too! Hopefully I'll get it to the range next weekend, and see how she shoots!

Drifter Mike · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2005, 06:26:53 PM »

Post some pictures if you can, I would like to see it!
Thanks
Drifter Mike

marlinman93 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2005, 05:51:44 PM »

I've torn it down for a thorough cleaning, and inspection. Also to repair a small chip at the heel of the buttstock. When I get it done and reassembled, I'll take a picture and post it.

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2005, 05:03:03 AM »

Marlinman I second the motion. Be sure to post pics when you can. POW

marlinman93 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2005, 03:11:19 PM »

Well, here it is! Got the chip repaired, and will have the replacement screws this Saturday! I gave $1500 for it, and it's got some patina, but the bore is great! Can't wait to go shooting!

hillbill · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2005, 05:43:07 PM »

welll how does it shoot? i have one in 32-40 too. my bore is bad and it shoots baaad with lead but shoots great with jacketed bullets. try plenty of different loads!

marlinman93 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2005, 06:19:20 PM »

Sorry, forgot to post a range report! I added a midrange vernier, and globe front sights to the gun, which I had in my sight collection. I took it to the range with a couple boxes of ammo I loaded up for my 1893 Marlin. They are a 170 grain Heinrich hard cast bullet, with 8.0 grains of Unique. A pretty slow load, but accurate in my Marlin.
The results were good, with five groups of 5 shots at 100 yds. The best 5 shot group measured under 1.5", and the worst was about 2.5", with 4 of 5 inside of 2" I'm guessing the one was a flyer caused by the dolt behind the trigger. (Forgot to set it, and fired as a regular trigger!)
All in all I'm tickled pink with this new gun, and I don't miss the .22 High Wall I had given up recently!
Thanks for asking!

Drifter Mike · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2005, 06:03:18 AM »

Looks like you got a sweetheart! The price is not bad either!
Drifter Mike

marlinman93 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2005, 10:23:05 AM »

Thanks Mike! Took it and some of my other single shots out to the range again today. It sure is a shooter! Only a couple of my others will keep up with it!