Winchester Model 1885 Schuetzen
Winchester Repeating Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1885
Also known as: Winchester High Wall Schuetzen, Model 1885 Schuetzen
Overview
The Winchester Model 1885 Schuetzen is a single-shot, falling-block target rifle built on the High Wall receiver of John Browning's Model 1885 design. Configured for the German- and Swiss-influenced sport of offhand Schuetzen match shooting, it features a heavy octagonal barrel, double-set triggers, an ornate spur finger lever, a checkered pistol-grip walnut stock with Swiss-style cheekpiece, a Helm Schuetzen buttplate, an adjustable palm rest, and precision vernier tang peep and wind-gauge front sights. It was most commonly chambered in the mild, accurate .32-40 and .38-55 Winchester black-powder target cartridges.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4990 g (176.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1181 mm (46.50") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 435 m/s (1427 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1011 J (746 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .32-40 Winchester · primary — also known as .32-40 Ballard, .32-40 WCF, .32-40
- .38-55 Winchester — also known as .38-55 WCF, .38-55 Ballard, .38-55
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Octagonal Heavy Barrel, Double Set Triggers, Spur Finger Lever, Checkered Pistol Grip Stock, Swiss Style Cheekpiece, Helm Schuetzen Buttplate, Adjustable Palm Rest, Vernier Tang Peep Sight, Wind Gauge Front Sight, High Wall Receiver
Variants
- Winchester Model 1885 High Wall - High Wall Sporting
- Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall - Low Wall
Base model
Service history
Operators
- American competitive target shooters · adopted 1885
Production
Production years: 1885-1920
Schuetzen was a low-volume special-order target configuration within the roughly 140,000 total Model 1885 rifles produced
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: John Moses Browning
Discontinued: 1920
Notes
The Schuetzen was the most elaborate target configuration of the Model 1885, offered on special order with premium walnut and full target accoutrements. Barrels were commonly 30 to 32 inches; heavier examples could exceed 5 kg.
Background
During the golden age of American Schuetzenfest match shooting, target rifle competition enjoyed a social status comparable to golf today, and Winchester's Model 1885 boldly challenged the established single-shot makers Sharps, Remington, Stevens and Ballard at their own game, with Major Ned H. Roberts calling it the strongest and best single-shot rifle ever produced.