This early production Model 1885 High Wall Flat/Thick Side rifle was manufactured in 1887 and is chambered for the .45-125 Winchester (.45 Express) cartridge which was the longest cartridge available for the Model 1885 and was designed specifically for this model but only available for a few years given it was not a significant improvement over the .45-90. The no. 3 barrel is fitted with blade front sight and elevation adjustable rear sight and is marked with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight. The right side of the barrel is engraved "Winchester 45-125 Cartridge." The left side of the barrel is engraved "Made expressly for Oakes & Co. Madras." Messrs, Oakes & Co. was one of the largest department stores in India, known for having the largest stock of general goods at any given time. The buttstock features a shotgun buttplate. Included Cody Firearms Museum serial number verification confirms the no. 3 round barrel in .45 Express, plain trigger, shotgun buttplate and Madras, Oakes & Co. engraved retailer marking. The rifle was received in the warehouse on February 10, 1888 and shipped on March 29, 1888. Per information provided by the consignor, an estimated total of 689 Model 1885 rifles were chambered in .45-125 express caliber. Today, very few of these Model 1885 express rifles are encountered.

Good as a well used big game express rifle made exclusively for an Indian retailer. An area of faded original blue finish remains on the barrel around and under the forearm; otherwise, the rifle has a mottled brown patina. The original wood is fair with numerous scattered dings and scratches, small chip at the upper tang and some hairline stress cracks. Mechanically excellent. A scarce, antique Indian retailer marked Winchester Model 1885 express rifle showing great characteristics of an authentic big game rifle.