Winchester 1885 High Wall value help

I have a Winchester High Wall a local gentleman wants to sell. He's asking $1800 and I don't know if he's even in the ballpark on value, so a little help on value would be greatly appreciated. It was made in 1913 according to the serial number and is chambered in 22 Long R. Has a ladder sight along with a tang aperture sight. Also looks to be a take down model. Barrel is fairly pitted on the inside. There is a small crack in the stock which you can see in the second picture. Posted a few pics below for reference.

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...psbq9i8zxy.jpg

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...pswc4ojosy.jpg

Is the barrel Winchester marked? Takedown configuration is fairly rare. The butt stock appears to be pinned through the wrist. Tough to value without all the facts. If the barrel is not a Winchester barrel it will detract quite a bit from the value - As will the wrist repair. The forestock is also cut down considerably. I'm not up on values for takedown actions - But the action minus barrel and stock might be worth $900 - $1400. It appears that the original configuration was as a Winder target gun. There are 7 or 8 1885 Winchester/Winder rifles on gunbroker for you to look at - But none are takedown. To me the takedown feature is where any value is on this gun. Details will tell the story - Mostly

Here is what markings are on the barrel as well as a picture of the stock pinning.

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...ps61cvj8lc.jpg

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...psrloxryhi.jpg

http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...psvy3vaq0w.jpg

I agree with Square Butte -
This one is hard to value but any/most of its value is in the metal. And most of that is in the action and takedown. A small value in the correctly marked barrel as one to be lined. The sights not so much but some. The wood is almost a liability.
I would not give more than $1200.00 tops as a project rifle but, as always, something is worth what someone will pay.

Thanks for posting the pic's
Always good to see rifles

Lots of High Wall knowledge here http://assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

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It looks like it was once a Winder Musket :cry: ...................... too bad. (the changes, plus the buttstock repair, puts it firmly in "shooter" class, IMHO)

IMO, the seller's dreaming, if he thinks it's worth the same as an unmolested example - although that tang sight would be worth about $250-$300 if sold separately today.


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Originally Posted by pietro

.IMO, - although that tang sight would be worth about $250-$300 if sold separately today..

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Well good call on the tang sight! I gazed over that. It is a windage tang. I don't recall the number. Yup, the sight has interest too!
This rifle will bring more parted out but I always hate that and I have a soft heart to restore rather than view them as $$$$.

I think it would make a great project gun - But the breach block would have to be converted to center fire if you wanted anything other than a 22 rimfire

According to Campbell, the take down second model Musket with the Krag type barrel sight was made after 1911. The forend, which used to go almost to the muzzle, has been cut off in your example. Alternatively, a "short forend" was available on some Winder Muskets, but all Musket forends were attached with barrel bands. The Musket barrels and forends were set up for the forend screws used on the sporting models, but not drilled or fitted with escutcheons. Whoever chopped the forend and tossed the barrel band away drilled the hole and fitted a screw to make a faux "sporter."

The High Wall version of the Musket is less common and, IMHO, a lot more desirable than the Low Walled "Winder" Musket, which had the receiver drilled full of holes for the receiver sight. The fact that it is a takedown makes it rarer still. The Lyman 103 further adds to the value; they are not common at all and $300 could well be what one costs these days.

Outside of the forend being chopped and the barrel band and nose cap missing, it is a pretty complete specimen. You might try to find replacement parts, reline the bore and restore the gun. I don't think it is worth $1800, myself, in the condition it is in now, although with the forend complete it might well be. The problem is that people who collect and value Training rifles are not as commonly encountered as those who would like a single shot for general shooting or collecting purposes.

Looks to be a sporterized 'Winder' military musket', with a nice tang sight added to compliment the military sights in front of the action. IMHO, asking $1800 for this one seems a mite high. Jim

Bent Ramrod - good info.
- I did not remember which sight # that was. Lyman model 103 -good to know.
The rifle may or may not be all original, or even rather could be a parts job.
I will guess it never was a Winder. I think that is unlikely. Look for a flaming bomb and US on the action. Unlikely there is any marking.