Custom Engraved Winchester Model 1885 High Wall – .32-40 – No. 3 Heavy Barrel – Deluxe Walnut – Tang Sight

Offered here is a beautifully customized Winchester Model 1885 High Wall single-shot rifle chambered in the classic .32-40 Winchester cartridge. This exceptional rifle features extensive decorative engraving, a Winchester No. 3 heavy barrel, deluxe checkered walnut furniture, a precision-style rear tang sight, and an ivory front sight.

The Winchester Model 1885 High Wall is one of the most celebrated American single-shot rifle designs, originally developed by John Moses Browning and manufactured by Winchester beginning in the 1880s. Its strong falling-block action became a favorite among target shooters, competitive marksmen, and custom rifle builders.

This particular example stands apart from ordinary Model 1885 rifles thanks to its extensive custom craftsmanship and striking appearance.

The receiver features beautiful engraving on both sides. One side displays an engraved stag within a circular game scene, surrounded by elaborate scrollwork, decorative borders, and finely textured backgrounds. The opposite side features extensive flowing scroll engraving with matching ornamental borders. Additional engraving extends around the receiver edges and adjoining metal surfaces.

The Winchester No. 3 heavy barrel adds considerable character to this rifle. The barrel features additional decorative engraving, including the .32-40 caliber marking, and is fitted with an ivory front sight.

A finely detailed adjustable rear tang sight complements the rifle’s traditional target configuration.

The custom walnut furniture is particularly impressive. The stock features a beautifully shaped pistol grip, extensive fine checkering, a pronounced cheekpiece, and elegant carved contours. The matching forearm features attractive checkering and a slender, refined profile.

The metal buttplate is another outstanding feature, displaying decorative engraving across its upper section.

This rifle is in excellent overall condition, displaying a beautiful combination of craftsmanship, attractive wood, and well-preserved metal surfaces. The wood retains an appealing finish with only minor handling marks, while the engraving remains crisp and clearly defined.

The bore is in excellent condition.

Features and Specifications

• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company
• Model: 1885 High Wall
• Caliber: .32-40 Winchester
• Action: Falling-block single shot
• Barrel: Winchester No. 3 heavy barrel
• Trigger: Single trigger
• Receiver: Custom engraved on both sides
• Engraving: Stag game scene, extensive scrollwork, decorative borders, and textured backgrounds
• Barrel Decoration: Additional custom engraving
• Front Sight: Ivory front sight
• Rear Sight: Adjustable precision-style tang sight
• Stock: Deluxe custom walnut with cheekpiece
• Grip: Finely checkered pistol grip
• Forearm: Custom checkered walnut
• Buttplate: Metal buttplate with decorative engraving
• Bore: Excellent
• Overall Condition: Excellent

Condition Details

This custom Winchester High Wall presents exceptionally well, with an attractive combination of fine engraving, beautiful walnut furniture, and traditional target-rifle features.

The receiver engraving remains well defined, with attractive scrollwork and a detailed stag scene. The metal surfaces show light age-related patina and minor handling wear.

The walnut furniture retains a beautiful reddish-brown finish with attractive grain patterns. The fine checkering remains well defined, and the custom cheekpiece and pistol-grip contours give the rifle a distinctive appearance.

The Winchester No. 3 heavy barrel retains an attractive finish, and the additional barrel engraving complements the receiver decoration.

The bore is excellent.

Historical Significance

The Winchester Model 1885 High Wall occupies an important place in American firearms history. Designed by John Moses Browning, the action earned an outstanding reputation among precision riflemen and became a preferred platform for custom sporting and target rifles.

The .32-40 Winchester cartridge was particularly popular among late-19th- and early-20th-century target shooters and remains closely associated with the golden age of American single-shot rifle competition.

Custom rifles of this type reflect the craftsmanship and individuality of an era when talented gunsmiths and engravers transformed traditional Winchester actions into highly personalized sporting arms.

With its extensively engraved receiver, No. 3 heavy barrel, engraved buttplate, ivory front sight, adjustable tang sight, and deluxe walnut furniture, this rifle represents a particularly attractive example of the custom Winchester single-shot tradition.

An outstanding addition to a collection of Winchester Model 1885 rifles, American single-shot target rifles, or finely customized sporting firearms.

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