This is absolutely a stunning, near brand new, and extremely rare "British Special Order" Winchester Model 1885 low wall, three band Musket with the rare "takedown" feature; one of the rarest features ever found on low wall rifles. This rifle is one of five known factory documented low musket ever manufactured by Winchester. These muskets are pictured on page 155 of the book "The Winchester Single-Shot Rifle" by Campbell. Although the lower picture does not list the serial number of the rifle, it could in fact be this same rifle! These rifles were supposedly manufactured by Winchester under a special order contract basis for evaluation by the British Government in the WWI era; likely intending them to be used by the British Home Guard, probably for training purposes, just as the US Government was doing with the early Winder Muskets, they had purchased from Winchester. This beautiful rifle is in absolutely near new condition and is fully documented as to its configuration by the accompanying factory letter dated June 1987. This letter verifies that musket configuration, takedown feature, 22 short caliber, 30 inch No. 1 barrel, and a 44-A rear sight. The rifle was received in the warehouse on January 17, 1918, and shipped from the warehouse on January 22, 1918. The letter also states "the Winchester Archives indicates that only five arms of this type were made." The #1 barrel is marked on the left side with the two line Winchester address/patent dates, same as the U.S. contract Winder Muskets and with the caliber designation in front of the receiver. Very interestingly it is also marked under the rear sight with "-----NICKEL STEEL BARREL-----/ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER". This is a very unusual factory stamping as these markings were usually reserved for centerfire cartridges only, when Winchester was transitioning from black powder to smokeless powder and was not usually seen on 22 rimfire rifles. It has the standard straight grip walnut stock with the very rare, full length 25 1/2 inch "Musket Forend", that has two barrel bands and a very rare nose-cap that also functions as a barrel band, making this a three-band musket. It is fitted with a set of factory sling swivels mounted on the underside of the buttstock and middle band. It has the standard Winchester circled "WP" proofmarks on the barrel and upper tang markings with the serial number (107633 A) stamped on the rear of the lower tang. It has blued finish with casehardened breechblock and lever.

Excellent plus with 99% original bright Winchester factory blued finish with some very minor handling marks. The breechblock and lever also retain 99% of their deep, dark blued case colors just starting to show some fading. The wood is crisp with only a couple of minor handling marks. The markings are crisp and sharp. The action is excellent with storage grease still around the breech end of the barrel (see photos). It has a mint, bright bore. As noted in the referenced book, two of these rifles were released by the factory years ago when they disposed of some of their collection, and this is one of those rifles sold off. It is rare "One of Five" known three band, Low Wall muskets ever manufactured!