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Custom Schoyen Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Off Hand Target Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Custom Schoyen Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Off Hand Target Rifle
This is a nice example of a Winchester Model 1885 High Wall rifle with a custom target weight barrel marked "GEO. C. SCHOYEN DENVER" on the top flat. Unmarked new replacement spirit level wind gauge front sight, with no rear sight seat and equipped with a mid range Vernier tang sight with a custom period eyepiece with glass insert. The barrel features Schoyen nine groove right hand twist rifling. Paneled leaf spring action with a single set trigger, pistol grip lower tang and spur lever. Schoyen pattern checkered pistol grip stock with cheekpiece, hard rubber grip cap, modified Helm style buttplate and silver initial inlay. The stock heel and buttplate tang have been drilled (one in the stock, two in the tang) for sight mounting. Schnabel forearm with a custom palm rest. Shooting accessories include a Schoyen bullet lub pump, reproduction Schoyen type re/de-capper and a bullet breech seating tool. George C. Schoyen was born in Norway in 1845 and emigrated to the U.S., settling in Denver, Colorado in 1861. His workmanship was considered to be among the finest and the rifle barrels he built became famous throughout the U.S. for their accuracy. Schoyen died in 1916. Accompanying the rifle is a portion of a target dated 11-15-94 shot by Ray Day from a 100 yards and a copy of a 1971 publication of a lengthy article about George Schoyen, written by John Dutcher and a hand written letter dated Jan. 26, 1995 on John Dutcher stationary to Ray Day in reference to the rifle he recently purchased from Dutcher and the enclosed publication on Gearge Schoyen.
BBL: 30 inch part octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 38-55
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN


Fine overall with 80% original brown finish on the barrel, with a few scattered minor dings. 60% of the vivid case colors remain on the receiver, strong traces on the lever and the balance has a smooth grayish patina. The wood is good with most of the varnish remaining with loss due to scattered flaking and chipping. There is a small chip on the cheekpiece and overall there are minor dings, dents and handling marks. The checkering remains sharp. The buttplate has a smooth mottled brown patina with evidence that a sight was once mounted on the tang. This rifle was once part of the world famous Harold's Club Gun Collection and is a very nice custom Schoyen Rifle.