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Winchester falling block? 25RF Bert? Anybody

richbug
I ran across a winchester falling block rifle in 25RF today. Can someone give me some insight into its value and exactly what it is. The patent date under the lever is Oct 7th 79. Serial # 18037 Bore is pitted but shootable, Octagon barrel, a little blue remaining on the barre flats, no finish on the reciever or buttplate, no case colors left.

thanks in advance,
rich

My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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6 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Hello richbug...

    What you ran across is a Model 1885 Single-shot. Undoubtedly it is the early low-wall variant (and may have the real early panel-sided frame and non-contoured breech block). The "25 RF" was Winchester's designation for the 25 Stevens rimfire. If it is a standard low-wall, it should have a 26" No. 1 barrel (the size No. is stamped on the bottom flat of the barrel just in front of the forestock tip). It originally had a case colored frame and butt plate.

    There are no cartridge/ammo manufacturers who currently make this cartridge, and any orignal ammo that can be found is considered collectable (and expensive). Because of that fact, and the apparently less than desirable condition of the rifle, I would estimate the value at about $700 (it is worth that much as a parts gun).

    I would really appreciate it if you could confirm the barrel length & size, the precise caliber stamp (e.g. "25 R.F."), the trigger type (most likely a plain non-set), and the type of sights that are on it. Thanks[:)]

    Edit: Forgot to mention, it was most likely manufactured very late in the year 1887, and the barrel on the rifle is probably not original to the rifle. The 25 Stevens rimfire was not introduced until circa 1890.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • richbug
    will check on the barrel today. The front sight was a dovetailed windage driftable plain blade. the rear sight is almost a buckhorn, but not quite that enclosed on a stepped ramp. Single trigger.

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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  • Iconoclast
    Rich,

    On the ammo, except for the very earliest boxes, the .25 RF is not really a collectible as much as merely obsolete. Most of the ammo in circulation is sold "as is" for shooters. Winchester loaded it up until circa 1960 and Speer imported contracted Dominion loadings into the 1970s. While boxes tend to run around $1 a round, I have picked up several over the years in the $20 - $35 range (which I'm hoarding since I have a .25 Stevens which has great sentimental value). I'm really surprised someone like Navy Arms or OWS hasn't contracted with Fiocchi or CBC to produce a run as they have done on the common types of obsolete .22, .32, .38 & .41 RF . . . and perhaps someday they will. Certainly there are plenty of rifles out there chambered for this load.

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)
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  • BOBBYWINS
    I just happened to be looking through "Stevens" using the "search" feature.There's several examples of Stevens .25RF listed.You might want to take a look.

    BW

    IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.
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  • richbug
    Bert, the barrel is a #1, but 23.5" long. The crown on the muzzle is pretty ugly and whoever had it was hard on the last couple inches of rifling when they cleaned it, and the dove tail for the front sight isn't the nicest I have ever seen; I guess it is possible some "smith" has set back the sight and cut off the barrel. It is marked above the chamber "25 R.F." plain block letters

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by richbug
    Bert, the barrel is a #1, but 23.5" long. The crown on the muzzle is pretty ugly and whoever had it was hard on the last couple inches of rifling when they cleaned it, and the dove tail for the front sight isn't the nicest I have ever seen; I guess it is possible some "smith" has set back the sight and cut off the barrel. It is marked above the chamber "25 R.F." plain block letters

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.


    Hello richbug...

    Thanks... that information doesn't surprise me at all. My bet is that the barrel was cut down from an original 26" length. Still, it is probably worth at least $500 as a parts gun.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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