Value 1885 winchester low wall lever action SS 22
What is the approximate value of a Winchester 1885 lever action single shot low wall in 22 long. Gun is in really good condition. Any idea as to value is greatly appreciated. It does have the cover that slides over the hole where the round goes in/out the top of receiver as well.
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown
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Hello Jim...
Well, you definitely got my interest with the title of your post, but you have something VERY wrong in your description...
quote:Originally posted by jjmitchell60
It does have the cover that slides over the hole where the round goes in/out the top of receiver as well.
The only 22 caliber Winchester lever action with a sliding cover on the top of its receiver was the Model 1873, and it is not a single shot. In fact, it was the VERY first repeating action 22 rifle made by anyone.
Now, concerning your rifle, and assuming that it is a Model 1885 Single-shot, please answer the following questions;
1. Barrel length (including the portion screwed into the frame)? Most likely it is 24-3/8"
2. Barrel size (stamped on the bottom of the barrel right in front of the forestock tip)? Most likely a No. 1
3. Plain trigger or single-set?
4. Straight grip buttstock, or pistol grip?
5. Cresent (steel) or shotgun (hard rubber or steel) buttplate?
6. Plain (straight grained) walnut stocks, or deluxe? Checkered?
7. What type of sights are on it? Does it have a tang sight?
8. Case colored frame or blued?
9. Serial number?
10. Condition of the finish on the frame, barrel, and wood? Original finish?
11. Condition of the bore?
Finally, if this is indeed a Model 1885 single-shot, and you would like to have the original factory ledger information (the same information that you would get on a Factory letter), please contact me at Win1885@msn.com.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Bert H.
1.24 & 3/8"
2.No number or stamping at all.
3.Plain.
4.Straight grip.
5.Cresent steel.
6.Plain.
7.Rear buckhorn, adjustable up/down.
8.Case colored.
9.3149378 or R or B
10.Original finish, good.
11.Dirty but really good with no pitting.
It has 22 long on top of heavy octagon barrel. Also it has on top of the barrel:
Winchesters Repeating Arms New Haven Conn U.S.A.
Kings Improvement Pattented March 29 1866 October 16 1860
It does have a : Model 1873 on the tang behind the Hammer but is a single shot though being no place to load more rounds.
As the lever is lowered, a brass piece raises up to bring spent hull out of the top of receiver. Both sides of the receiver has the 1873 style plate on it but I see no place to load multiple rounds in it. Also at the rear of the lever is a twist that locks the lever from coming down. As stated there is a dust cover that slides over the opening in the top of the receiver.
It is a 1873 single shot in 22 long so what is approx. value?
Thanks for the info and any more you can provide.
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown0 -
Hello Jim,
OK, it is definitely NOT a single shot, and it should (does) have a rather long loading tube mounted to the bottom side of the barrel that will hold TWENTY .22 Long cartridges. The serial number indicates that it was manufactured during the year 1889, and it is a "B" at the end of the number. That bronze elevator also carries a fresh cartridge up from the magazine when the action is cycled.
Winchester only made 19,552 Model 1873 22 caliber rifles (between 1884 - 1904), and they are all VERY collectable. Without being able to see your rifle (to judge its condition, originality, and if it is one of the early Takedowns), I am very hesitant to estimate how much it may be worth. However, it is most likley worth a minimum of $2,000, and could be a fair bit more.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Bert H., here is a link to abother 1873 like mine:
http://www.antiqueguns.com/auction/item.cgi?springfieldminmen/springfieldminmen-20611
except mine is in 22 long, octagon barrel, much better shape, an like this one there is no place for other cartridges to be loaded into it! Is there any chance they made these in Sinngle Shot in the 22 rimfire? I cannot find anyplace for other rounds to be loaded and the brass block does not drop low enough to raise another round from the tube. It is though the tube is there but nothing in it at all!
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown0 -
There are no 1873 single-shot rifles. The .22 is loaded by removing the inner magazine tube from the front of the rifle.
Scrappy Doo sleeps with the fishes.0 -
pack it up and send it off to Bert and lethim research it 0 -
quote:Originally posted by jjmitchell60
Bert H., here is a link to abother 1873 like mine:
http://www.antiqueguns.com/auction/item.cgi?springfieldminmen/springfieldminmen-20611
except mine is in 22 long, octagon barrel, much better shape, an like this one there is no place for other cartridges to be loaded into it! Is there any chance they made these in Sinngle Shot in the 22 rimfire? I cannot find anyplace for other rounds to be loaded and the brass block does not drop low enough to raise another round from the tube. It is though the tube is there but nothing in it at all!
Hello Jim...
Nope... ALL Winchester Model 1873s were repeaters. Do you really believe that Winchester would go through all the expense and trouble to install a cartridge tube and then not use it[:0][?][:D]
There is no need to pack it up and send it to me as gskyhawk suggested... unless you really do want a hands on appraisal.
I suppose that in the future, I should consider that a fair number of the people who visit this forum are not intimately familar with all those old Winnies... so light of that statement, here is how you remove the magazine tube for loading.
1. Grasp the end cap on the magazine tube, and simply turn it (either direction) until the flat part of the cap lines up with the slot cut in the bottom of the barrel.
2. Pull it straight out.
3. Start stuffing cartridges down the tube (pointy end up of course), stop at (20).
4. Reverse steps 2 and 1.
And for those who may have doubts, modern manufactured 22 Long ammo is perfectly safe in that old rifle.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
The only thing I would add to the answers about value is that the .22 caliber 1873 was made in both .22 short and .22 long. The shorts greatly outnumber the longs. If I recall correctly, the ratio of .22 short 1873's to .22 long 1873's is at least 3 to 1. Since about 730,000 1873's were made in all calibers, but only 19,000+ were made in .22, That makes this a fairly rare gun. I would estimate the value of an octagon barreled 1873 in .22 long at closer to $3,000.00, as long as you're not in a hurry to sell it. 0 -
Bert helped me a lot on this gun. He actually showed me where someone had lost the loading tube at one time, then they plugged the feed tube to use it as a single shot. He helped me to find a man who makes the loading tube and I have ordered one. By the way this winchester is not for sale, it is to be passed on to my daughter when and if she has kids after she graduates college. Till then it is my shooter to play with. Thanks to all that offered info.
Bert H. I want to formally thank you for all your help.
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown0 -
Hello Jim,
Thank you for the very kind words, and please remember to get in touch when you start looking further into all those other Winchesters (and old ammo).
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0
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