Hi All,
I'm trying to track down a nice, vintage Winchester 1885 in 38-55. If you've got one to sell, or know of one in the dark corners of the web, do me a favor and please PM me.

Thank Ya,
Jake

Check gunsinternational.com.

That would be a sweet one. I didn't think I wanted a large-ish black powder cartridge gun but I now have a Ballard #4 Perfection In .40-70 (.40-63 if using Everlasting cases) headed my way from Boise. Can't wait to drive it.

The 1885's in 38-55 are out there, stashed away, waiting to brought out into the light. I just need to connect with somebody that has one and also happens to have shifting interests and limited funds. I have the capital, who has the rifle?

Your forthcoming rifle with a straight wall cartridge looks pretty entertaining.

I know where there's a nice .32/40. No clue about the barrel condition however. Made in 1887.

I bought one of the new 1885 actions from a company in Belgrade MT. Did a half round half octagon barrel in 38-55. She's a sweet rifle will drive tacks and will flatten a whitetail.
upload image quick image upload

I know it's not a vintage rifle but I couldn't find what I wanted so I had it built. The deer can't tell

Beautiful.

WOW!

Outstanding rifle!!!

WOW indeed! Thanks for sharing.

That’s a beauty.

I like it!!!

Thank you all for the nice comments. It's a favorite that's for sure......but........there's another one in the works

There's always another one isn't there?! I just acquired a Ballard sporting rifle in .40-70, with a pristine bore. Geezuz. Another rabbit hole to venture into. Loonyism is such sweet sorrow!

One of the MANY things i like about the 1885 is that it started the shooting public getting interested in .22 centerfire cartridges with the .22 WCF. I've never owned an original because the only ones that didn't have toasted bores were 'way out of my price range. But I have had many rifles using that original case or wildcat versions of it, especially .22 Hornets. It was a trend setter, for sure.

BTW, a recent issue of "Handloader" had the .22 WCF Improved in its "Wildcats" column, including a nifty single shot Krag conversion. I had never heard of that wildcat, although everyone has heard of the .22 K-Hornet.

Now I wish they'd do an article on the ".25 Hornet." A very useful 'cat, or should I say kitten?!

I saw a piece on the .25 Hornet as a revolver cartridge, maybe shortened a bit. Interesting idea for small game.

As I understand it, the .25 Hornet was one way to use shot out .22 barrels on the old Stevens Model 44 (not 44 1/2). Changing the breechblock to CF was an easy substitution of factory parts in the good old days, and rebores or relines were cheap, plentiful, and precise. It was easy to make a handloadable equivalent of the .25 Stevens rimfire or get velocity/energy near the standard .25-20 WCF (not the HV version, which would eat a 44).

I had one of these for a while and bummed empties to fireform from all my non-handloading friends who had .22 Hornets and hated ground squirrels!

They also used to make a short version of the .25 Hornet for custom S&W K-frames which were a bit too short for the full-length Hornet case

This one has caught my attention........


https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906313215


ya!

GWB

That old thing?😛

No accounting for taste, I suppose.

Go for it GWB

Beautiful, Hi-Wall!

The letter says, 30- inch Octagon, Barrel, and yet it's a half Round, half Octagon Barrel!

Also the 38-55 Caliber that this Rifle Came in, is not as Rare as the Seller indicates, as most Winchester Designated Special Single Shot Rifles, came in that Caliber!

It is a Beautiful specimen, but the #2 Barrel, should Also be a #3 1/2, Barrel, to be a proper, WDSSSR! Unless that #2 Barrel was a special ordered option!

Winchester Special Single Shot Rifles!

Of the Total Mfg. Winchester S.S. Rifles, Approx. 140,000

858 were Special S. S. Rifles Produced!

38-55 Caliber were 31% of Total Production, of "Special Single Shot Rifles' !

Not Really RARE, but "Uncommon" !

$9800.00!

I can see why it did.

GSP,
What is the company in MT that makes the 1885 receiver?

MVA

Reloader 28 the receiver is marked Model 1885 VME INC Belgrade, MT

Still looking for a nice, vintage 1885 in 38-55. As was previously mentioned, there's always another one, and the next one.

They're the folks that actually machine them for MVA.

Nuthin???

Are they out there but not for sale, or are they just not out there?