This is an early Winchester Model 1885 low action that is chambered in the .25-20 WCF cartridge. It comes with a Winchester ledger accounting sheet that is dated May 1971 that lists the rifle in .25-20 with a 28 inch octagon barrel and set trigger and states it was originally shipped in March 1892. The rifle was built on a desirable thick side (smooth side) low action with the correct round top receiver with no sighting groove cut in the receiver. The barrel is correctly marked on top with the Winchester factory two-line address with the caliber marking stamped on the top flat at the breech end of the barrel. It is fitted with the standard 1885 trigger guard with a single set trigger. It is fitted with a standard, straight grip, walnut buttstock and forend. The stock is fitted with the second pattern nickel plated two prong Winchester buttplate (does not letter in the factory records) with the shorter prongs, and a small ebony insert is on the front end of the forend. The lower tang is marked with the patent date and the serial number. The barrel has the factory filler block in the rear sight dovetail, and it is fitted with a Winchester windgauge, adjustable target front sight and a Winchester pattern 1885 tang mounted target rear sight. It has the correct Winchester factory blued metal finish on the barrel and a color casehardened receiver, trigger guard, lower tang, hammer and breechblock. Since this rifle was originally manufactured in 1892, we suspect that this rifle was returned to the Winchester factory sometime after 1895 where it was updated to the current configuration, including a barrel change from .25-20 Single Shot to .25-20 W.C.F. since the latter cartridge was not released until 1894/95 time frame after this rifle was manufactured.

Excellent overall with 95% plus of the original blued finish with 90% plus of the factory color casehardened parts, which show some slight fading on the trigger guard. The buttstock and forend are also both in excellent condition with most of the factory varnish still remaining overall. Both wood components show light handling marks/light pressure marks and scratches in various areas with a slightly heavier, but minor, pressure dent on the right side, middle area of the forend. The wood is proud to the edges of the metal components. Mechanically excellent.