The included factory letter indicates that this Winchester Model 1885 High Wall rifle was received in the warehouse on January 30, 1896, and shipped the same day with a no. 5 octagon barrel in .32-40 caliber and plain trigger. This rifle was subsequently upgraded by famed gunsmith H.M. Pope. These custom upgrades included the barrel, modified checkered lever, double set triggers, and deluxe stock. The no. 4 octagon barrel is marked "H.M. POPE HARTFORD CONN." on the top flat, has provisions for a false muzzle and bullet starter (included), and is fitted with windage adjustable globe front sight with spirit level and J.W. Fecker scope. A folding peep sight is fitted on the upper tang. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, highly attractive walnut. The forearm has an ebony tip insert and checkered walnut palm rest. The buttstock has a Winchester hard rubber pistol grip cap, right handed cheekpiece, and a Helm pattern buttplate. Includes a set of reloading tools and an early 1900s handwritten journal documenting various caliber loads. The rifle is attributed as once belonging to U.S. Army Brigadier General Frank Merrill per an accompanying typewritten note of provenance. This note reads in part, "This Hi[gh] Wall belonged to Capt. [sic] Frank Merrill of Merrill's Marauders sometimes called Merrill's Raiders." The note goes on to give a brief history of Merrill's Marauders. General Merrill was the commander of the famed WWII special forces unit that beared his name, Merrill's Marauders, officially known as the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), which ran deep penetration missions behind Japanese lines. The Marauders gained fame for their capture of the village of Myitkyina, Burma, in 1944 and for their subsequent operations against superior Japanese forces.

Fine as upgraded by renowned gunsmith H.M. Pope. The barrel retains 70% thinned original blue finish. The receiver retains 90% original blue finish with the lower tang having been refinished. Both sides of the forearm has been inleted at the breech (splice repair on left side); otherwise, the wood is fine with a couple hairline cracks, some scattered minor handling marks, and overall crisp checkering. The scope has slightly hazy optics. Mechanically excellent.