Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Winchester 1885 question

Did Winchester produce any 1885s in 25-35? Original production, not recent

Yes, a few toward the end according to Campbell.

TY Gnoahhh, have you ever encountered one?

According to William Porter,Winchester Arms Museum Research Associate, in 1987 the Winchester Model 1885 Survey showed 57 mfg. as he states during the production of the Model 1885 which was mfg. between 1885-1920 with approx. 139,725 total production. As gnoahhh stated it was nearer the end of production as John Cambell stated in his research works. Bert Hartman in his current and ongoing survey of the Winchester Model 1885 S.S. Rifle states that 64 were mfg. and to date he has verified 8 in his survey per his publication in the WACA Magazine. Winchester Arms Collectors Association. In the Winter 2021 publication survey,(WACA magazine), Bert shows a table from a 1910 Winchester Catalog showing the introduction of the 25-35 W.C.F. being available for the Winchester Model 1885. The 25-35 W.C.F. was first developed by Winchester in 1895 as one of the earliest Smoke less Cartridges by Winchester and mainly designed for the Winchester Model 1894 as the case was based on the 30-30 cartridge. Savage also used this cartridge in their Model 99. In Bert's survey he also states that 98 different Cartridges we're used with 53being standard cataloged cartridges and the remaining 45 cartridges being special order or experimental. This being original cartridges from Winchester and not aftermarket wildcat or additional. If one is encountered in 25-35 W.C.F. it would be safe to say the serial number at about 110,000 or greater and up until the end of production. IMO!
With only a small number of 25-35 mfg. and very few verified I would say that their on the rare side of finding an original in any condition! IMHO!

HS 58

Thanks HS58. I've never encountered one.

Given their rarity and that the 1885 was the darling of wildcatters and customizers since almost as soon as it was discontinued by Winchester, plus sheer attrition, I wonder how many actually still exist today?

There's something about .25-35's made in the early days of the 20th century regarding barrel condition. I've examined more than a couple Savage 1899's in .25-35 and never once found one that didn't have a sewer pipe bore. Weird in that the bunch of .22 High Powers I've owned (and own) have had very decent bores - imminently shootable if not downright pretty - and since it's basically a necked-down .25-35 I find that odd. What do y'all that own Winchester 94's in .25-35 have to report about that?

Yup, I got one…

gnoahhh, Not trying to hijack or hoard this thread at all but like you, I do find it interesting. I also agree with the Model 1885 S.S. being a great candidate as many have proven to experiment with different Wildcat cartridges and calibers over the years. The Winchester Model 1894 in the 25-35 caliber according to Bert Hartman,(WACA), from it's inception 1895-1953 with a total of 50,402 mfg. in the 94 as Winchester decided to improve it's steel in the 94 in 1895 to accept the Higher pressures of the Smoke less powder, with a harder steel. In late 1951 the caliber roll stamp marking we're changed on the 94 to read 25-35 Win from 25-35 W.C.F. Same cartridge! Just more FYI for all of us to share and enjoy.

Shrapnell, I remember that picture and your post. Nice! I would assume yours is one of the 8 in Bert's survey. I was wondering what load you we're using when you downed that nice Trophy?

HS 58

Shrapnel that is a very nice rifle sir. TY for sharing. Hopefully I will see the rifle I am posting on "in the flesh" in the next few days. I will keep everyone posted

Looking Forward to it!

HS 58

If it's old, outdated, or rare, Shrapnel will have one :-)

A picture of an 1885 in 25-35 with a 15" barrel can been seen on the back cover of a book about old west "gear" written by a man with the last name as Makey IIRC. I have the book somewhere. The BATF saw this and tried to arrest him for an illegal firearm. He stated he didn't own the rifle and can't recall who sent the photo to him. The rifle was found behind a bar in Oregon IIRC and had a saddle scabbard with it. Through years and years of research a record was found from obscure Winchester records showing that they indeed manufactured only one with a 15" barrel. So, it was legal and miraculously Makey found that he did own the rifle. Funny how things work out.

Some how I kinda remember a story like that but the memory is Foggy. None the less a good story and thanks for sharing that.

HS 58

Indeed and typically said rifles are shown next to game!! Cool rifle and photo!

gnoahhh - I concur most of the .25-35s I’ve examined have at a minimum “frosted” bores - never really thought about it until you mentioned it🤔

PennDog

Well, I saw the rifle today, rebarreled and way over priced. This is the second time in the passed couple of years that I have gotten a lead on an unusual Winchester that turned out be a amateur custom

Well at least you had an inkling of an opportunity. You never know. Thanks for keeping us posted and intrigued.

HS 58

The excitement is in the search

Always! It's always the excitement of the Hunt. Although the Find is very enjoyable if it happens in some cases.
So with that being said I'm sure Bert Hartman over on the WACA site would love to here about the search that you went through and the serial number for his current survey. It's because of guy's like Bert that we're able to learn and share more information about the firearms that we enjoy. I'm not sure of his take on a re barrelled Model 1885 with the serial number being on the receiver and not likely able to trace what receiver the barrel came off of. JMO!

HS 58

I didnt take note of the serial number, but I should have. It had a stainless sporter barrel, but the caliber wasnt stamped on the barrel. The seller had ammunition and brass with the rifle, and he told us that he had fired it a few times. I found today that he sold it later on the same day we looked at it