Seeking Winchester Low Wall advice, information and parts

[waarp8nt]

I purchased a 1885 Winchester Low Wall action from an auction last week. It is missing the hammer and the block. It has the trigger and lever. I've found sources for new parts, online auctions have parts but they want new prices. Numrich doesn't have the parts I need, anyone know of an alternative source for good used parts?

If I find the parts, what calibers do you own or have you shot in the Low Wall action? I was thinking something .32 caliber or possibly. 38 caliber, but certainly nothing high pressure.

Questions, comments or smart remarks welcome.

[M-Tecs]

https://www.homesteadparts.com/shop/...885-c-1_6.html

https://oldarmsofidaho.com/product-c...ow-wall-parts/

https://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=155

https://cfnparts.com/catalog?path=253

https://www.dzhepburn.com/product-ca...chester-parts/

http://www.wyomingarmory.com/gun-parts.html

https://montanavintagearms.com/produ...chester-parts/

eBay and other auction sites prices are normally high but if you watch long enough and have a little luck deals can sometimes be still found.

[waarp8nt]

https://www.homesteadparts.com/shop/...885-c-1_6.html

https://oldarmsofidaho.com/product-c...ow-wall-parts/

https://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=155

https://cfnparts.com/catalog?path=253

https://www.dzhepburn.com/product-ca...chester-parts/

http://www.wyomingarmory.com/gun-parts.html

https://montanavintagearms.com/produ...chester-parts/

eBay and other auction sites prices are normally high but if you watch long enough and have a little luck deals can sometimes be still found.

I found a couple of links, but certainly not all of those...Thanks!

I'm fairly patient when it comes to auction sites, so I may wait it out for a little while.

[Old-Win]

When buying parts, make sure that you know whether you have a coil spring action or a leaf spring action as the hammer and breech block are different

[M-Tecs]

When buying parts, make sure that you know whether you have a coil spring action or a leaf spring action as the hammer and breech block are different

Same for set triggers. They need a hammer with a fly.

[Griff]

I have a Browning 1885 made by Miroku in 45Colt. I got it mainly to shoot in cowboy action side matches called "Plainsman". It requires the use of percussion revolvers, a single shot rifle & double or 1887 shotgun... all black powder powered. Since I normally shoot "frontiersman" category in the main matches & use a 45 Colt 1873, this was a logical choice. I certainly didn't need to use my 1874 Sharps in 40-90SBN for shots that typically range from 50-75 yards. 'Sides, the 45Colt uses nearly a third less powder than the .40-90SBN. I generally use a .452 sized bullet cast from a RCBS 45-225-CAV truncated cone bullet, lubed with SPG in front of ~30 grains of Goex "Cartridge"... The 45 Colt loaded to full power or even "Ruger only" levels makes a fine coyote/deer/javelina or hog round with careful selection of the right bullet. The 24" ½rnd/oct bbl on this rifle is light and maneuverable; yet still capable of good groups. With it's tang peep and globe front sight, I'm able to keep it to about 1"- 1-¼" groups with carefully assembled ammo from good components.

[Green Frog]

I purchased a 1885 Winchester Low Wall action from an auction last week. It is missing the hammer and the block. It has the trigger and lever. I've found sources for new parts, online auctions have parts but they want new prices. Numrich doesn't have the parts I need, anyone know of an alternative source for good used parts?

If I find the parts, what calibers do you own or have you shot in the Low Wall action? I was thinking something .32 caliber or possibly. 38 caliber, but certainly nothing high pressure.

Questions, comments or smart remarks welcome.

If you have not already done so, go over to the American Single Shot Rifle Association website (ASSRA.com) and look around. Ask for me (same screen name, Green Frog) or send me a PM here if you need help finding something. In addition, I've also seen both of the parts you need on eBay quite recently. They weren't all that expensive. There is a vendor named drwinchester as well as others who offer such parts often.

As others have said, you will need to know whether you are seeking a leaf spring (earlier) of coil spring (later) action. The hammer requires it and the block only interchanges one way.

If all of this is sounding like Greek to you, just go over and hang out on the ASSRA forum, then sign in and under the Gunsmithing forum repeat your question you posed here and some real experts will chime in! BTW, low walls make great 32 S&W Long or 32 H&R rifles, I've had 2 of them.

Forggie

PS. I'm currently building a low wall I bought as a stripped action. It will be a 25-20 SS when done. Also, if all you can find is a rimfire breech block, they are easily bushed to CF. If it is a 22 block, that's all you need to do. other RF blocks (32 RF are the most common) may require a little more fiddling, but it cn be done.

[kootne]

Levers are also specific to coil or leaf mainsprings.

[Green Frog]

PPS: I have or have shot low walls in 22 RF, 25-20 SS and WCF, 32 H&R. 32-20, and 38-40. They came in everything from 22 RF to 44-40 and maybe some other pistol calibers I haven't mentioned... 22 and 32 RF were probably the most common (at least in my experience). What did you have in mind?

Froggie

[Green Frog]

Levers are also specific to coil or leaf mainsprings.

OP says he has the lever. Since he doesn’t mention the spring (or a barrel, we’ll have to see the bottom of the frame and the front of the lever to tell which spring it takes (assuming the lever is original to that receiver). I have bought an accumulation of parts that had been randomly stuck together… I wish I had those parts now to match up with others I’ve come across!
Froggie

[waarp8nt]

PPS: I have or have shot low walls in 22 RF, 25-20 SS and WCF, 32 H&R. 32-20, and 38-40. They came in everything from 22 RF to 44-40 and maybe some other pistol calibers I haven't mentioned... 22 and 32 RF were probably the most common (at least in my experience). What did you have in mind?

Froggie

I was thinking something .32, however I do have a Ruger Blackhawk in 38-40. Brass, dies and bullet mold too. I noticed today that Green Mountain has a barrel for the 38-40, I will need to check the diameter of it to see if it can be threaded to fit the action (barrel offered by GM was on the thin side).

I will try to post some pictures of the action tomorrow.

[waarp8nt]

[Old-Win]

You have a leaf spring action which means you will need a leaf spring hammer which is identified by having a long tip on the front of it. Your action has a rebated groove on the top which means it probably had a number one barrel on it. If you go with a larger barrel, it will stick above that groove. Either low wall breach block will work because of it being a lever spring. If it was a coil spring action, you would need a breech block with 2 little holes on the side where the coil spring would attach. You will also need a leaf spring and the mount where the leaf spring attaches to the barrel. Without seeing the inside of the action apart, it's hard to tell what else you may need. Probably the link and two link pins as well and maybe a sear and spring although it looks like I can see the sear spring screw on the under side of the top tang. When I have time to get on my desktop, I will send a link from the ASSRA website that shows you many of the parts and their differences.

[gnoahhh]

Were I to undertake a Low Wall project I would make it either a .32 H&R or .32-20, mainly because I'm turning into a .32 fanboy. I currently shoot a LW in .25-20 Single Shot and frankly it has been my favorite LW chambering, but brass and dies availability puts that one squarely in the realm of masochism for a newcomer who has to start from scratch with it.

.22WCF is another good choice IMO. Go with a modern dimensioned .224" barrel and simply chamber it and shoot it as a .22 Hornet but with cast bullets. Mark the barrel ".22WCF" so future owners don't get overly enthusiastic and feed it a steady diet of Hornets - not that a LW won't take a Hornet, it will but the stresses of the higher pressure cartridge can be detrimental over the long haul. Remember these vintage LW's were built of carburized (case hardened) low carbon steel, and while certainly sufficient for their intended use they're nowhere nearly in the same league as modern Low Walls built of amazingly tough alloys heat treated to perfection. (Ie: Miroku Browning/Winchesters, some of which were made in pretty ferocious calibers.)

[nuclearcricket]

I recently acquired a low wall. Externally it is in good shape, barrel has turned a nice shade of brown. the receiver has little to no finish on it but the wood is in very good shape. Down side is, its missing the rear sight but am sure I can find one some place with some looking. The bore is pretty much trashed. I did look at the GM barrels and did some other research. I have decided to just have the barrel relined back to the original caliber, 38 wcf. Yes cost was a big factor and I can have it relined for a lot less than having a new barrel installed. Bobby Hoyt currently has it and am looking at time time this winter till he has it finished. His liners are all cut rifled and the twist will be in the 30" range. While he has it, I will keep looking for sights for it. They are not cheap and the down side is the ones I have seen are a nice deep blue and just wouldn't look quite right.
If you are looking for new parts, MVA and C Sharps arms offer Highwall parts, some low wall parts and DZ arms has low wall blocks and I am pretty sure both offer both CF and RF blocks.
Sam

[Old-Win]

This link will take you to a topic I did about 10 years ago on the ASSRA website that should help you some but won't answer all your questions. Ebay is a good place to pick up parts but be careful as some sellers say they will fit both lw and hw actions but that's not always true. Some of the sellers just mark their parts at a high price and hope you are desperate enough to pay asking price. Wait til the parts are in an actual auction. When buying your link, ask if it's from a low wall action and whether it was from a rimfire or center fire action. https://forum.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb...num=1410120905
You will have to become a member and log in to see the pictures.

[waarp8nt]

If you have not already done so, go over to the American Single Shot Rifle Association website (ASSRA.com) and look around. Ask for me (same screen name, Green Frog) or send me a PM here if you need help finding something. In addition, I've also seen both of the parts you need on eBay quite recently. They weren't all that expensive. There is a vendor named drwinchester as well as others who offer such parts often.

As others have said, you will need to know whether you are seeking a leaf spring (earlier) of coil spring (later) action. The hammer requires it and the block only interchanges one way.

If all of this is sounding like Greek to you, just go over and hang out on the ASSRA forum, then sign in and under the Gunsmithing forum repeat your question you posed here and some real experts will chime in! BTW, low walls make great 32 S&W Long or 32 H&R rifles, I've had 2 of them.

Forggie

PS. I'm currently building a low wall I bought as a stripped action. It will be a 25-20 SS when done. Also, if all you can find is a rimfire breech block, they are easily bushed to CF. If it is a 22 block, that's all you need to do. other RF blocks (32 RF are the most common) may require a little more fiddling, but it cn be done.

This link will take you to a topic I did about 10 years ago on the ASSRA website that should help you some but won't answer all your questions. Ebay is a good place to pick up parts but be careful as some sellers say they will fit both lw and hw actions but that's not always true. Some of the sellers just mark their parts at a high price and hope you are desperate enough to pay asking price. Wait til the parts are in an actual auction. When buying your link, ask if it's from a low wall action and whether it was from a rimfire or center fire action. https://forum.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb...num=1410120905
You will have to become a member and log in to see the pictures.

I applied to the ASSRA forum and received an acceptance email this morning. Looks like I'll be spending some time over there. Thanks for the recommendations!

[Green Frog]

On the subject of Green Mtn barrels; one of my low walls is getting a GM barrel that they advertise as designed for “Small Lever Actions”. I think they still make it for 32 WCF/32 H&R as well as 38-40. You might give them a look.
Any luck on your breech block and hammer yet? Remember, you’ll also need a base and leaf (main) spring. Also, are the sear spring and its base present?
Froggie

[Green Frog]

I just did an eBay search for Winchester wall, and all the parts you mention needing are there. They aren’t all cheap, but check them out and see what’s reasonable.
Froggie

[marlinman93]

For your barrel/cartridge I'd consider a .32-20, .32 S&W Long, or a .38 Special. All great choices, although my prejudice would be towards the .32-20 chamber!