The accompanying Winchester Gun Museum letter states the rifle had a 30 inch half octagon No. 3 barrel in .32 Ideal, plain trigger, and checkered pistol grip stock when shipped on March 2, 1907. The letter lists a rework date of March 21, 1907, which is when the rifle was modified to current configuration. The rifle is in takedown configuration with a 30 inch round barrel (fully crowned, rare feature) in .32 Ideal and checkered pistol grip stock with trapdoor crescent buttplate. The rifle is pictured and described in Madis' "The Winchester Book" on page 268. According to Madis, factory records for this rifle feature the notation "will require other sight equipment for John before the match." Madis concludes: "Winchester has always had a great number of enthusiastic target shooters employed in the plant. This rifle may have belonged to one of them; this would explain the prompt return and the notation for other sights "for John". The barrel has a windage adjustable front sight with spirit level, filler block in the rear sight slot, and Winchester B-4 scope mounted 7 inches center to center. Note the Winchester factory oval proof on the barrel is stamped ahead of the rear scope mount, indicating the mounts were factory installed. A second Winchester factory oval proof is correctly stamped on top of the receiver. The underside of the barrel is stamped "3," indicating weight, just ahead of the forearm and "3/32 IDEAL" under the forearm. There is also a Lyman tang peep sight. The pistol grip area has the date "1907" attractively carved on the left side and "A-K" on the front between the tang and the Winchester hard rubber grip cap. The right side of the buttstock has a carved monogram. The left side of the barrel has the two-line Winchester address/patent dates marking and caliber designation "32 IDEAL." It is believed that no more than 233 1885s were built in .32 Ideal. The left side of the lower tang has the number "2003" crossed off followed by "XXX 20824 CF." The butt is stamped "224," and the buttplate has the number "457."

Fine as period factory refurbished/reconfigured. The rifle retains 97% factory blue finish with slight thinning and edge wear on the balance. 95% case colors remain on the lever and buttplate. The wood is fine with a stress crack near the lower tang, some minor dings and scratches, and crisp checkering overall. Set trigger needs work, otherwise action functions. The scope has hazy optics.