1885 Hi Wall Saddle Ring Carbine

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I'm a fan of the Browning '85 Hi Wall rifle.  I ran across a modern repro advertised as a "Winchester Hi Wall Trapper Carbine" chambered in .45-70.  It's Miroku made.  I've got one of the BPCR Browning / Miroku rifles and it is a fantastic reproduction and very nicely finished.



I've come across pictures and descriptions of '85 saddle ring carbines in the Madis text and at the rare Winchesters sight.



Madis is fairly vague about production numbers of the '85 saddle ring carbine.  Hi text alludes to the fact that most of the 1885 saddle ring carbines were mostly in low wall configuration, mostly in .32, .38, & .44 WCF.  He states other large caliber cartridges could be ordered in the short 15" barrel saddle ring configuration.  (All of the pictured '85 saddle ring carbines in "The Winchester Book" are .44 WCF chamberings.)

Does anyone have any reference the gives better definition to the history & production of the '85 saddle ring carbine, especially with regards to the heavier hi wall rifle caliber chamberings?

Thanks,

Pancho

[Stillwater]

I am a fan of the 1885 Browning/Winchester/Miroku's too. I have nine of the 1885 Winchester/Browning/Mirokus. Three are Low walls, and six are high walls. Of the high walls, two are BPCR's, one is a .45-70 and the other is a .40-65.

I have a Low Wall chambered in 22 LR that us a high grade model. It is engraved and has gold enlays in the receiver.

The only 1885's that are true BPCR's, are the ones with the 30" half octagon - half round Badger barrels on them. They come in .40-65, .45-70 and .45-90 Calibers. I haven't seem an 1885 in .50-90 yet, so I can't tell you if it is a true BPCR or not.

In addition to the 1885's I have, I would like to have one of the 1885 Creedmoor models and one of the .45-90 BPCR's too.

To each his own, however, I don't like the looks of the 1885 short barreled carbines. To me, they look like an answer, looking for a question.

I also have a Shiloh Hartford model in .45-70.


Bill

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I am a fan of the 1885 Browning/Winchester/Miroku's too. I have nine of the 1885 Winchester/Browning/Mirokus. Three are Low walls, and six are high walls. Of the high walls, two are BPCR's, one is a .45-70 and the other is a .40-65.

I have a Low Wall chambered in 22 LR that us a high grade model. It is engraved and has gold enlays in the receiver.

The only 1885's that are true BPCR's, are the ones with the 30" half octagon - half round Badger barrels on them. They come in .40-65, .45-70 and .45-90 Calibers. I haven't seem an 1885 in .50-90 yet, so I can't tell you if it is a true BPCR or not.

In addition to the 1885's I have, I would like to have one of the 1885 Creedmoor models and one of the .45-90 BPCR's too.

To each his own, however, I don't like the looks of the 1885 short barreled carbines. To me, they look like an answer, looking for a question.

I also have a Shiloh Hartford model in .45-70.


Bill

Bill,

My Browning BPCR Hi Wall is in 45-70 with the Badger Barrel.  Winchester recently released a Creedmore model in 50-90.  They are for sale at CDNN:

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/cdnn/CDNN2010-2.pdf  (This is a big file:  their catalog, check page 75 for the Hi Walls)

I do think the short barreled Hi Walls have a good role in CAS.  They'd make a great rifle for Cody-Dixon matches where you are shooting your big-bore rifle off hand and on the clock.  I've used my 30" barrel BPCR for this and it sure can get your arms tired.  The saddle ring carbine would sure be nice for that style of match.

[Stillwater]

There is no doubt the short barrel 1885 SRC's would be good for some of the shooting disciplines, however, I should have been more clearly in stating my dislike.

It's their looks I don't care for. They look funny and out of balance, to me, with the size of the butt stock, and that short barrel. It's a visual thing for me...!

Bill

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The repro is UUGGLLEE!  That original shows how it should have been done.