WINCHESTER MODEL 1885 Description

falling block trigger guard activated action, John Browning's first high power single shot rifle design, many variations were made and we will list the standard types. Over 139,725 mfg. between 1885-1920. This model was available in a very wide range of chamberings. Thanks to Bert Hartman of the Winchester Arms Collectors Association for his extensive Winchester factory ledger research and survey data. He has documented that this model was chambered for 98 different cartridges, with the smallest being the various .22 rimfires and the largest, the .577 Eley. Of these, 53 were considered standard chamberings and 45 were of a special order or experimental nature. Rifles can be found in 17 different rimfire chamberings and 81 different centerfire chamberings. It is noted that in the 1930s, Winchester offered replacement barrels in .218 Bee, .22 Hornet, and .219 Zipper. An owner could send his rifle to Winchester for replacement barrel installation or order a barrel only for gunsmith installation.

This design was originally manufactured as the Model 1878 by the Browning Brothers in Ogden, UT, in the early 1880s. Fewer than 600 were mfg. - see the Browning section for values.
It is noted that Winchester never described this model as "Model 1885." Rather, it was referred to (e.g. in their catalogs) as the,"Winchester Single Shot Rifle." Unlike the Winchester lever action rifles of the period, the tangs were not marked with a model number. In addition, Winchester did not use the designations of "low wall" or '"high wall." These terms as well as "Model 1885" came about from reference book authors, collectors, and dealers. It is noted that this model began production in 1885 hence, the designation is logical.