This is an exceptional example of a Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Musket with the attractive color casehardened action in the desirable "45-70" cartridge. The accompanying Cody Firearms Museum Records Office serial number confirmation lists this Model 1885 as a musket chambered in .45-70 caliber when received in the warehouse on March 26, 1895 and shipped on March 27 on order number 8080. Note that the Model 1885 Musket in the next lot and this Model 1885 will both factory letter on the same order number 8080. This example follows the same basic pattern as the famous first pattern Muskets, only these are chambered in 45-70 WCF. The receiver as noted has the very desirable beautiful "color casehardened" finish which was used until the early 1900s, when Winchester switched to the all blued finish. The receiver features the milled-down, paneled sides, with the unique, two barrel bands on the full length forearm. The sides of the forearm are smooth however it is correctly machined with a ram-rod channel on the underside like the first pattern Winder muskets, and it comes with its original Winchester/Musket ramrod. The top of the barrel is marked in two lines, behind the lower barrel band and in front of the rear sight with the Winchester factory address and patent dates. This example is fitted with a custom Lyman type, early Globe target front sight with an early type musket rear sight. The Globe front sight actually consist of a complete, one-piece, (figure "8" type pattern) that fits over the outside of the barrel (in place of the standard front sight) that has the Globe sight integral with the base. It is held in place by a single set screw mounted on top of the barrel band, under the screw in aperture. The rear sight is actually very similar to the Model 1877 Trapdoor rifle rear sight in its configuration and is graduated on the side of the base with 1-4 (100-400 yards) and 5-10 (500-1000 yards) on the face of the slide and is NOT adjustable for windage, like the later Hotchkiss models. The breech end of the barrel is only stamped "45-70". The upper tang is unmarked and it is fitted with a Lyman model 103 Windgauge Adjustable tang mounted rear sight. The lower rear tang is marked with the Winchester factory "PAT. OCT 7th 79" and the serial number "69310". It is fitted with the standard straight grain walnut musket stock with the military style curved steel buttplate, with a set of sling swivels on the underside of the buttstock and the front barrel band.

Exceptionally fine with 80% plus of the original blue and 85% color case hardened finish overall, with a hint of edge wear from very light handling, with some minor fading of the case colors on the rear of the lever with the buttplate having turned a silvery/brown patina. The reoiled stock and forend are both very fine with a nice strain grain walnut pattern with a nice Winchester oil finish showing only a couple of very minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.