FANTASTIC CASE COLOR & BLUE WINCHESTER 1885 HIGHWALL IN .45-90

Description:
FANTASTIC CASE COLOR & BLUE WINCHESTER 1885 HIGHWALL IN .45-90, #93XXX, MADE 1902. Interestingly, this rifle has Winchester proof marks on the barrel and receiver ring which were typically standard beginning about 1905. Rifles made before this date that were returned to Winchester for repair work or refinishing were “proofed” and stamped before being returned from the factory. This rifle was returned to Winchester for refinishing/rebuilding because under the forearm on the barrel flat is stamped “ORDER No- 1494 J.P.P.  23” Research online from the Winchester Collectors Association provided the following: At the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, "J.P.P." refers to James P. Parker, a master mechanic and wizard of the factory's model room and special order shop. Active from the 1880s until around the World War I era, he specialized in custom barrel work, reboring, rechambering, and factory refinishing.
Because the factory rarely kept detailed written ledgers of return-and-repair (R&R) work on individual guns, Parker's craftsmanship is primarily identified by his physical stamps on the firearms themselves. The initials J.P.P. were typically stamped alongside a work order number on:

• Barrels: Particularly when special interchangeable barrels were fitted.
• In vintage Winchester collecting, a J.P.P. stamp is considered a hallmark of verified, authentic factory work, distinguishing historically repaired or customized pieces from those altered by outside gunsmiths

            I called the Cody Museum on this one and got a call-in sheet stating that this rifle started out as a .32 WCF, #3 Octagon 34” barrel, Winchester express sights and shotgun butt and shipped in Sept. 1902. There was no notation of return and repair as I believe it was done after records were lost, plus, the number 23 is stamped on the bottom after the J.P.P. which might mean 1923. Still, it had to have gone back to Winchester because of the order No. stamping and J. P. P.  as well as having post-1905 proof marks on the receiver and barrel. With all that said, the case colors are magnificent on the receiver, lever and butt plate.  The blue on the 32" No.3 barrel  is deep and excellent with all Winchester markings and caliber stamping exc. Wood is excellent showing the most minor of handling only and has the correct ebony wedge in the forearm tip. Wood to metal fit is very tight. Has a vernier tang sight base and globe front sight that will accept inserts. Action is tight and the bore is  bright and excellent. This is how it looked when new and left the factory…the second time! 
 

Curio/Relic: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-90 Winchester
Manufacturer: WINCHESTER
Model: 1885 HIGH WALL
Serial Number: 93XXX
Barrel Length: 32" OCT.
Condition: NEAR NEW
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT

Price: $5,200.00