Hi guys!

I need some help on this one. What can you tell me about this gun from the pictures?

A colleague came to me with this winchester rifle and asked me if I could find out some details about it. My questions to you is what model?, year of production?, caliber?, is this a "take down" rifle? has the pipe been changed from the original? and value?

I believe this is a 1885 single shot "high wall" rifle, the serial number is 102015 and I was told it was made 1914 but I'm not sure. The caliber is printed into the pipe as 7.9x57 JR. Mauser. and it looks like it is a take down, but I just can't make it. I've tried twisting and pulling but nothing happens. Therefore I wonder maybe the pipe is changed from the original and can't be taken apart.

Pictures of the rifle:
















Thank you all in advance!

Make sure the lever is fully open and the extractor is disengaged from the breech of the barrel before trying to unscrew the barrel. I am not familiar with 1885 Highwall takedowns, which is precisely what this is, but every unscrew takedown has this in common.

The way that barrel is stamped I would say it's been rebarreled or rebored.
In the 50 years the 1885 was made it was chambered in almost every cartridge in existance !

The cartridge appears to be the 8x57JR which is usually .318 bore, rather than .323. Surely, Winchester would never have used such a chambering. One finds that chambering in older European rifles and combination guns. All this suggests that the barrel was a custom job many years ago....possibly even in Europe.

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
Make sure the lever is fully open and the extractor is disengaged from the breech of the barrel before trying to unscrew the barrel. I am not familiar with 1885 Highwall takedowns, which is precisely what this is, but every unscrew takedown has this in common.

Hi Hovius!

I've tried so but it still won't come off. Probably the takedown function has been disabeled when the gun was rebarreled.

Thanks guys for your replies!

What does it look like under the forend?
See if there is a set screw or anything else keeping the barrel in place. Does the knurled release under the barrel still slide toward the forend?
I suspect it still has a takedown capability. Otherwise, there would not have been much need (and expense) to use the detachable scope mounts.

I know one thing....I like it!!

quote:

The cartridge appears to be the 8x57JR which is usually .318 bore

That´s importend! Never use .323" bullets.
The only ammo maker I know at the moment, is S&B and RWS. But RWS will discontinue the 8x57IR ammo next year.
By the way. It´s an interesting hunting rifle. Old M1885 actions for such gunsmith-work, are very rare here in europe.

Martin

quote:

Originally posted by Huvius:
...... Does the knurled release under the barrel still slide toward the forend?
I suspect it still has a takedown capability. Otherwise, there would not have been much need (and expense) to use the detachable scope mounts.

Yes it does! Sounds reasonable about the mounts I'll look for a set screw under the forend.

BigBoreFan, I'm aware about the caliber now. The owner had a few rounds with the RWS 8x57 IRS.

Does anyone know what this rifle might be worth?

Had a look under the forend, but there was no set screw...it's been 30 years or so since it was last used. Could there be corrosion or rust that keeps it from comming apart? I could always try with a rubber hammer and some lubricant, but I'm not sure if I want to...in case I do something stupid

I have one suggestion for you. If your colleague have the intension to use this rifle, bring it to a gunsmith for a maintenance. The gunsmith should dismantle the rifle, clean the barrel and assemble it with new greased and oiled action.
The 8x57 IR is a very good hunting round. With an handloaded SN made by Degol (makes five different bullets) or Woodleigh and RWS, both are making only one, it can be all done, same as with the "S" rounds.



Martin

IIWY I'd slug the bore before buying any small-dia bullets. I've slugged a number of early 8mms that supposedly had the smaller diameter but all had grooves much larger than 0.318". Many were as large as 0.327". The smallest I slugged was a Sauer drilling with a 0.3195" groove.
Regards, Joe

The take down 1885 ! have has a small "thumb-piece" under the foreend at the receiver/barrel junction. With the lever open all the way the thumbpiece moves forward and the barrel [interrupted threads] rotates counter-clockwise and comes off. If there is a small screw just behind the trigger it probably has a "Set Trigger" too. Mine work by pushing the trigger forward when cocked. Hope this helps.
Aloha, Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Big Bore Fan:
I have one suggestion for you. If your colleague have the intension to use this rifle, bring it to a gunsmith for a maintenance......

I doubt his intention is to use the rifle. Maybe he will fire it every now and then just for the fun of it. Else I reckon it will just be collecting dust in the cupboard. If I'm not wrong he inherited this rifle from his father-in-law. If it's worth a few dollars he might sell it rather than just leaving it in the cupboard.


Bohica, there is no "thumb piece" under the foreend and no screw behind the trigger. Only the knurled release under the barrel as you can see from the last picture, but thanks for the advice

Thanks for all replies!

Does that knurled release move forward or push in?

Don't force anything. Take it to a gunsmith. If you force it and break it you'll regret it for life.

quote:

Originally posted by citori:
Does that knurled release move forward or push in?

Move forward...