1885 low wall in 25-20 ADVICE

[Kev18]

So I went to a gun show today and a gentleman had a 1885 low wall 25-20 mfg 1893. The bore is brand new, has folding front sights, a rear sight, and an original marbles tang sight I think. The case hardening is still visible on the receiver. Pretty much the rifle is pristine original condition.
Anyone have any advice on the caliber, rifle, and most importantly a decent price? He told me the price he would like to get. I did abit of research and it seems to be low compared to the ones I found online. he handles all his firearms with white gloves ( He actually does) you can see he is a man that really likes, and cares for his rifles. He has two original 25-20 boxes for sale.

[earlmck]

Low wall Winchesters are wonderful. The 25/20 is great. What a fine, fun combination, perfect for launching small boolits. My low-wall (a k-hornet) has been with me for nearly 50 years and has never had a hickup.

I watched some fellows shooting 25/20 single shots last week-end: our local Pine Mountain Riflemen group has a monthly shoot for 25/20 single shots. This is the 25/20 ss case, as opposed to the 25/20 WCF used in the lever-actions: maybe a little harder to find brass but those fellows must be getting theirs somewhere (I should have asked about the brass -- I'll ask them next time I go watch the match).

[sharps4590]

If it's 25-20SS, Buffalo Arms shows the brass in stock. There might be other sources. Seems lately 25-20WCF is the more difficult of the two to find.

https://www.buffaloarms.com/25-20-si...f-20-ber2520ss

[Gunlaker]

I see that, like me, you are in Canada. The prices for 1885's tend to be quite a bit higher up here than they are in America.

The price would depend greatly on options and conditions.

The .25-20 SS is a neat little cartridge. I've never used the .25-20 WCF though.

Chris.

[DeputyDuke]

I have experience with a 1885 Low Wall in 25-20 wcf. I have one with a #1 weight barrel. It was refinished when I got it so I did not hesitate to have the barrel drilled and tapped for scope blocks and can therefore use a variety of externally adjustable scopes on mine. I use the RCBS 25-85-CM plain base bullet, shot as cast, tumble lubed in Ben's Liquid Lube, with Remington small pistol primers, and either 3.8 grains of Trail Boss or 6.5 grains of IMR-4227. I had RCBS open the neck of my full length sizing die so that after sizing the neck will barely accept a .257" pin gauge. They happily performed this service for FREE! This little rifle is the most fun cartridge firing squirrel rifle I have ever had the pleasure of using. There are over a hundred and forty pages of posts on the 25-20 wcf on the Marlin Owners forum. A guy by the handle of 35 Remington has done exhaustive work on this grand little cartridge.
Duke

[earlmck]

I didn't realize that this might well be chambered for 25-20 wcf as per DeputyDuke. That would be no problem: Starline makes 32/20 cases and these readily form to 25-20. Just run the necks over a .312 size button first to make sure they start our perfectly round and you'll have no loss in the size-down.

[Kev18]

If it's 25-20SS, Buffalo Arms shows the brass in stock. There might be other sources. Seems lately 25-20WCF is the more difficult of the two to find.

https://www.buffaloarms.com/25-20-si...f-20-ber2520ss

The man selling the rifle has two boxes of 25-20 WCF for sale!

[Kev18]

I see that, like me, you are in Canada. The prices for 1885's tend to be quite a bit higher up here than they are in America.

The price would depend greatly on options and conditions.

The .25-20 SS is a neat little cartridge. I've never used the .25-20 WCF though.

Chris.

What do you think a high price would be? And an acceptable price? I am in canada. The rifle is pristine and the bore is perfect. Case hardening si still present on the receiver. No rust or pitting, and has all the original sights. Folding front beech style, a weird looking rear sight, and a tang site.

[Gunlaker]

It's really hard to say without looking at it. If it was plain wood and a regular trigger I'd say $1500-$1800. If everything was in tip top shape, set trigger, really nice figured wood, Swiss buttplate, or checkering, I could see $2500 CDN but that would be tops for me with a low wall.

Buying antique rifles can be a learning experience. It's easy to miss a detail or two and end up with something you aren't happy with in the long term. I'd advise doing as much searching on the internet to compare to other rifles that are for sale.

Chris.

[Gunlaker]

Oh, one more thing. Ellwood Epps sometimes has 1885's for sale. Usually they are a little too expensive, but sometimes you'll find something quite rare. I would not buy a rifle from them without personally inspecting it though. Their ability to judge bore condition is somewhat lacking.

[Kev18]

Oh, one more thing. Ellwood Epps sometimes has 1885's for sale. Usually they are a little too expensive, but sometimes you'll find something quite rare. I would not buy a rifle from them without personally inspecting it though. Their ability to judge bore condition is somewhat lacking.

The rifle looks like this, except it does not have the buckhorn rear sight.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=100975432

The man said that he would like 2250$ for it, but since im young he wants to be nice and help me out. So he said 2000$. It seems like a decent price compared to the ones online. Some really beat up one sell for 2500$+ USD.

[marlinman93]

The gun on Guns International is a pretty rare 30" #1 weight barrel, which adds some premium to the value. I think the gun you're looking at (if in similar condition) would only be worth the asking price if it is also a rare 30" #1 weight barrel. If the seller will toss in the two boxes of ammo that's probably worth $50-$60 per box, and might offset his asking price. I still would want to get it down closer to $2,000 and get the two boxes of ammo also.
I sold my 1885 Low Wall with pistol grip stock, XXX wood, Swiss buttplate, 28" #1 weight full octagon barrel, Marbles tang sight, and Beaches front sight, single set trigger, (all factory lettered) in similar condition for $2300. I think it was a lot more gun than you're looking at.

[Gunlaker]

Sounds like a nice low wall Val!

Don't forget too, that the original poster is talking Canadian dollars so his $2000 CDN is about $1600 USD at the moment.

If the condition were very similar to the rifle you showed, then I think it's not a bad price up here, assuming it hasn't been messed with.

Chris.

[Kev18]

Well if I ever end up getting it il post pictures I guess. The next gun show is June 10th. Im not sure where this man lives, but he gave me his number. I should try calling him and work out something.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
As the old saying goes... Strike while the iron is hot ! "You snooze, you loose" If it were me I would not be jabbing keys...
Mike in Peru

[pietro]

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$2K (Canadian) is $1560 USD - IMO well worth a .25-20 Winchester 1885 in the described condition.