MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF WINCHESTER M1885 SINGLE SHOT HIGH WALL SPECIAL SPORTING RIFLES BY BALLARD GRP 1

Price: 
36950.00
Code: 
11-0617-3

Have you ever wanted a one-of-a-kind heirloom rifle that would always bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart when you held it, admired it, and shared it with your friends? How about if you could own two such rifles? Well, read on....today is YOUR day.

L & M Enterprises USA is honored to offer a matched, sequentially serial numbered, pair of Model 1885 Single Shot, High Wall, Special Sporting Rifles built to order for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center of Cody, Wyoming !! This spectacular pair of Model 1885s was manufactured by the Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Company, assembled by the noted custom single shot target rifle maker and Master Gunsmith, Ron Long, and engraved by Winchester’s Master Engraver "Joseph". At the order of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Company completed this pair of heirloom rifles on June 30, 2001 using the original specifications for the Model 1885 ( all parts are interchangeable with original Model 1885 parts ). After completion, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center placed these rifles on display at their Museum in Cody, Wyoming until they eventually sold them on June 27, 2003. 

This magnificent pair of rifles are documented with Letters of Authenticity from the President of the Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Company, LLC, Kelly McNitt. A specification detail sheet from the June 30, 2003 sale names the master craftsmen and highlights some of the exceptional embellishments that, together, make these rifles so desirable and collectible. 

The two rifles share many of the same features and design characteristics, while incorporating distinctive embellishments specific to one or the other of the pair. 

Among the shared features and characteristics are the following: both rifles are Model 1885 High Wall Special Sporting Rifles built to the original Winchester Model 1885 specifications; both rifles have the thick wall receiver; both rifles are stocked in hand shaped, formed and finished “extra fancy black walnut” with classic beaded cheekpieces, Schnabel foreends, ebony inlayed wedges in the foreend tips and in the pistol grips, and hand cut checkering on the forearms and pistol grips; both rifles have 32 inch, full octagon tapered barrels with blade front sights and buckhorn rear sights; both rifles have curved, checkered, inletted steel buttplates; both rifles have single set triggers; both rifles are extensively engraved by Joseph with a beautiful floral and scroll engraving pattern with scalloped borders; both rifles have artfully executed gold wire inlays as ribbons and vines of gold at the muzzle and at the breech ends of the barrels. (NOTE: there are three photo groups for this outstanding pair of Ballard/Winchesters. Please use the SEARCH function on the HOME page to search for BALLARD to view the three photo groups.)
This is a beautifully matched pair of master engraved, custom built Winchester Model 1885 Special Sporting rifles purpose-built by the Ballard Company, and as such are one of a kind....a true pair of heirloom rifles with historical ties to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center at Cody, WY.
These rifles are new, as hand built and engraved.

NOTE: THERE ARE 3 GROUPS OF PHOTOS FOR THIS PAIR OF HEIRLOOM RIFLES. THIS SET IS THE INTRODUCTORY SET. THERE IS ONE SET OF PHOTOS PLUS DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION FOR W190 (.45-70) AND W191 (.38-55).