This is a beautiful example of a late production pre-Schuetzen Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Special Sporting Rifle shipped in May 1904. The rifle is accompanied by a Winchester factory letter dated 1969 that describes it as: Rifle, 32/40, 28 inch, #3 weight 1/2 octagon barrel, with a Schuetzen set trigger, matted no rear seat (sight dovetail) barrel, carved style "F", fancy Schuetzen cheekpiece, spur lever, Helm pattern buttplate and no rear sight barrel seat. The interesting and very rare aspect of this rifle is that it has the Winchester double set triggers with a straight grip walnut stock, which was a rarely used combination. Although unidentified, there is a picture of an identical rifle, shown on page 141 of the book "The Winchester Single Shot" by Campbell. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the Winchester factory two-line legend of: "- MANUFACTURED BY THE-/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Co. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-", with the caliber "32-40" towards the breech end. The top flat of the barrel, as noted, has also been factory "roll matted" on both the octagon and round sections of the barrel. It is fitted with a standard Winchester globe front sight with fixed aperture and a Lyman tang mounted target rear sight that has the windage adjustable head with a disc eye cup. The stock and forearm are deluxe, fancy grain walnut with the noted special order deluxe Spade Point pattern checkering and an ebony insert in the forend tip. The wood features the Winchester hand rubbed, high polish piano finish. The lower tang is stamped: "-PAT. OCT. 7TH 79-" in one line behind the trigger followed by serial number "96771" towards the rear of the lower tang. The rifle has a blue metal finish with a color casehardened breech block, hammer, and spur lever.

Excellent with 97% plus of the original blue finish overall with a hint of light edge or high spot wear. The breech block, hammer and lever retain 75% of their case colors overall with the balance fading to a silver/gray patina. The stock and forend are outstanding with beautiful deluxe checkering/carving both showing only very minor light handling marks on the sides in a couple areas. The checkering is excellent, sharp, distinct and original. This is just an exceptional, deluxe special order Special Sporting target rifle with several special order features.