The accompanying factory letter confirms the 32 inch, no. 4, half octagon matted barrel in .38-55 caliber, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock with Swiss buttplate and cheek piece, no rear seat, and mid-range and wind gauge sights. The rifle was received in the warehouse on July 13, 1891 and shipped the next day. The matted no. 4 barrel is fitted with a wind gauge adjustable front sight with spirit level and is marked with the two-line New Haven address on the top flat and "38-55" on the upper left flat at the breech. The matted barrel is a rare special order feature. According to Winchester expert and author George Madis, "Matted barrels were produced in very limited numbers" (see "The Winchester Book," page 595). The receiver has the very desirable "color casehardened" finish which was used until the early 1900s and is equipped with a set trigger. The lower tang has the patent date marking and serial number. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe walnut. The buttstock has a Swiss cheek piece and a nickel plated Swiss buttplate.

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 80% thinned original blue finish faded to gray on the underside. 95% vivid original case colors remain on the receiver, lever, breechblock and hammer. The case colors are especially vivid on the receiver which retains 85% of the finish. The buttplate retains nearly all of the original nickel plating. The wood is very fine with a hairline stress crack at the upper tang, some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The number of rare special order features on this already attractive Model 1885 puts it into a rare class. A must have for the serious Winchester or single shot collector.