Custom Winchester Model 1885 High Wall – A.O. Niedner – .25 Niedner – Heavy Barrel – Double Set Triggers

Offered here is an exceptional example of early American custom gunsmithing: a Winchester Model 1885 High Wall single-shot rifle customized by the renowned A.O. Niedner, chambered in the uncommon .25 Niedner cartridge.

Adolph Otto Niedner was one of America’s pioneering precision rifle builders and cartridge experimenters during the early 20th century. Active primarily from the 1920s through the 1940s, Niedner became particularly well known for his custom target rifles, precision barrel work, and development of specialized wildcat cartridges. His craftsmanship helped influence the development of American custom sporting and target rifles.

This rifle features a heavy barrel marked “NIEDNER RIFLE CORP. DOWAGIAC, MICH.,” identifying its association with Niedner’s celebrated Michigan workshop.

The rifle is chambered in .25 Niedner, an uncommon wildcat cartridge based on the .30-40 Krag case necked down to .25 caliber. This chambering represents the period of experimentation when innovative American gunsmiths were developing specialized high-performance cartridges long before modern factory offerings became available.

Built around Winchester’s legendary Model 1885 High Wall action, this custom rifle features double set triggers, a heavy target-style barrel, and beautifully figured walnut furniture.

The custom stock displays attractive grain patterns, a pronounced cheekpiece, finely checkered pistol grip, and a distinctive sculpted profile. The checkered walnut forearm complements the stock and provides a traditional custom target-rifle appearance.

The rifle remains in good used condition, with attractive bluing on the barrel and receiver, showing scattered handling marks and normal wear. The walnut furniture displays minor scratches and handling marks consistent with age and use.

The bore has been inspected and is in excellent condition, an especially desirable feature in a vintage custom rifle of this type.

Features and Specifications

• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company
• Model: 1885 High Wall
• Custom Gunsmith: A.O. Niedner / Niedner Rifle Corporation
• Caliber: .25 Niedner
• Cartridge Parent Case: .30-40 Krag, necked down to .25 caliber
• Action: Falling-block single shot
• Barrel: Heavy custom target-style barrel
• Barrel Marking: NIEDNER RIFLE CORP. DOWAGIAC, MICH.
• Trigger: Double set triggers
• Stock: Custom figured walnut with cheekpiece
• Grip: Checkered pistol grip
• Forearm: Checkered walnut
• Buttplate: Custom target-style buttplate
• Metal Finish: Blued
• Bore: Excellent
• Overall Condition: Good used condition

Condition Details

This rifle is in good used condition, displaying an attractive combination of vintage custom craftsmanship and honest age-related wear.

The heavy barrel retains an attractive dark finish with minor handling marks and scattered finish wear. The receiver likewise displays a dark finish with light surface marks.

The custom walnut stock is particularly attractive, featuring pronounced grain patterns, a sculpted cheekpiece, and fine checkering. The forearm retains its matching traditional checkered appearance.

There are scattered small scratches, handling marks, and minor areas of finish wear on the wood. No major damage is apparent in the provided photographs.

The bore is in excellent condition.

Historical Significance

A.O. Niedner is an important name in the history of American precision rifle development. His work helped establish the standards of custom barrel making, specialized cartridge development, and precision rifle building during the first half of the 20th century.

Niedner’s rifles are especially interesting because they represent a transitional era when talented independent gunsmiths transformed traditional single-shot actions into highly specialized sporting and target rifles.

The Winchester Model 1885 High Wall was a natural platform for this work, offering a strong, classic falling-block action that remained popular with serious riflemen and custom gunsmiths.

The combination of a Niedner-marked heavy barrel, uncommon .25 Niedner chambering, double set triggers, and custom walnut furniture makes this a distinctive example of early American custom rifle craftsmanship.

An interesting addition to a collection focused on Winchester single shots, historic wildcat cartridges, or the work of America’s pioneering custom gunsmiths.

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