Restored Winchester Model 1885 in .32 WCF, from 1888. Visit our gallery for more restored examples of John Moses Browning’s designs.
The Winchester Model 1885: The Rifle That Launched an American Legend
John Moses Browning was still a young man when he crafted a rifle so strong, so accurate, and so well-designed that it caught the attention of one of the most powerful gun manufacturers in America. That rifle, a single-shot falling-block design, would become the Winchester Model 1885.
In This Article:
- The Humble Beginnings of a Master Gunsmith
- Winchester Comes Calling
- Built to Be the Best
- The High Wall
- The Low Wall
- A Rifle for Every Shooter
- The Model 1885 and the Evolution of Winchester
- The Model 1885 in the Modern Era
- Why the Model 1885 Still Matters Today
- Parting Thoughts
- More in this Series
- Share Your Stories
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It wasn’t just a firearm—it was the spark that set off a long and legendary partnership between Browning and Winchester, one that would go on to shape the golden age of American gunmaking.
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Image: A young John Moses Browning.
The year was 1878, and in the bustling frontier town of Ogden, Utah, a young John Moses Browning was busy working in his father’s gunsmith shop. The Browning family had been making a name for themselves as expert craftsmen, but John had an eye for more than just fixing rifles—he had a mind for inventing them.
At just 23 years old, Browning built a single-shot rifle from scratch, a gun unlike anything else available at the time. It featured a falling-block action—an incredibly strong mechanism where the breechblock dropped down when the lever was operated, allowing for smooth loading and ejection. More importantly, it locked up solid as a bank vault when closed, capable of handling the heaviest black powder cartridges of the era with ease.
Image: John Moses Browning’s United States Patent No. 220,271.
Image: The Browning shop in Ogden, Utah.
In 1883, Thomas G. Bennett, Winchester’s vice president, got wind of this promising new rifle being made in Utah. Now, Winchester was already one of the biggest names in firearms, thanks to their wildly successful lever-action repeaters, but they didn’t yet have a high-quality single-shot rifle in their catalog. Bennett saw an opportunity.
Bennett made the journey to Ogden and met with Browning. The two struck a deal—Winchester would buy the rights to Browning’s single-shot rifle, and in return, Browning would focus on designing new firearms rather than manufacturing them himself. The exact amount Winchester paid Browning remains the stuff of speculation, but let’s just say it was enough to make a young inventor’s head spin. With that deal, Browning’s career as a full-time designer was set in motion, and Winchester had itself a brand-new rifle: the Winchester Model 1885.
Winchester wasted no time in putting Browning’s design into full production. The Model 1885 was released in two primary variants:
Image: High-wall 1885 in restored condition. Visit our Restoration Services page to learn more.
Designed for powerful centerfire cartridges, this version had extra steel surrounding the breech to handle heavy loads like .45-70 Government and .50-90 Sharps. It was a favorite among buffalo hunters, long-range marksmen, and big-game hunters who needed a rifle that could handle serious firepower.
Image: Low-wall 1885 in original condition. Visit our showroom to explore additional classic firearm listings.
Built with a lower-profile receiver, this variant was ideal for lighter calibers like .22 Long Rifle, .25-20, and .32-20. It became a favorite for small-game hunters, target shooters, and varmint control.
What made the Model 1885 so special was its legendary strength. Unlike many of the weaker single-shot rifles of the era, Browning’s falling-block design could withstand enormous pressures. It was also astonishingly accurate—so much so that it became a dominant force in long-range target shooting competitions.
Image: Winchester Model 1885 Winder Musket in .22 Short. Visit our showroom to explore additional classic firearm listings
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Model 1885 was the sheer variety of calibers Winchester offered. At one point, the rifle was available in over 60 different chamberings, making it one of the most versatile firearms ever produced. Whether you needed a rifle for plinking, small-game hunting, big-game hunting, or competitive shooting, Winchester had a Model 1885 to fit the bill.
This adaptability made the rifle popular among serious hunters and sportsmen, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a common sight in the hands of sharpshooters at long-range matches and was favored by those who appreciated precision above all else.
The Model 1885 was significant not just for its own merits, but for what it represented. It was the first of many Browning-designed firearms that Winchester would produce. In the decades that followed, Winchester would adopt Browning’s lever-action, pump-action, and semi-automatic designs, making him the most influential firearms designer in the company’s history. The success of the Model 1885 helped cement Browning’s reputation, paving the way for legendary rifles and shotguns that would follow.
However, as the 20th century progressed, demand for single-shot rifles declined. Bolt-actions and lever-actions had become the standard for hunting and competition, and by 1918, Winchester discontinued the Model 1885. But even as production ceased, the rifle’s reputation endured. Shooters and collectors never forgot about Browning’s first great design.
Image: Modern-era Browning Model 1885 High Wall in .22-250 Remington.
Fast-forward to the late 20th century, and nostalgia for the great single-shot rifles of the past led to a resurgence in interest. Seeing the enduring demand, Winchester (under the Browning brand) reintroduced the Model 1885 in both High Wall and Low Wall configurations. Today, modern versions of the rifle are available in both classic and contemporary calibers, ensuring that Browning’s original masterpiece lives on.
Reproduction rifles from other companies have also kept the design alive, catering to cowboy action shooters and black powder cartridge rifle enthusiasts. Whether in its antique form or a modern reproduction, the Model 1885 remains one of the most respected single-shot rifles ever made.
Image: A factory-new Model 1885 reproduction, featuring museum grade wood and metal finishes by Turnbull Restoration. Browse our Finishing Services page for additional ideas.
For collectors and firearms historians, the Winchester Model 1885 isn’t just another rifle—it’s a piece of the Browning legacy. It was the rifle that started it all, the first design that Winchester acquired from the man who would go on to revolutionize firearm design.
It’s also a rifle that embodies the golden age of American gunmaking, when craftsmanship, durability, and precision were the hallmarks of a great firearm. Whether you’re a shooter, a historian, or a collector, the Model 1885 represents an era when rifles were built to last lifetimes, not just a few hunting seasons.
For those lucky enough to own an original Model 1885, the rifle is more than just an antique—it’s a testament to Browning’s genius and Winchester’s commitment to excellence. And for those who don’t, well, the good news is that plenty of fine reproductions are still out there, ready to be enjoyed just like the originals were over a century ago.
The Winchester Model 1885 is, without question, one of the most important rifles in American history. It was the rifle that launched John Moses Browning’s legendary career, the first of many groundbreaking designs that would shape the future of firearms.
For collectors, it’s a tangible connection to the past—a rifle with a story to tell, one of innovation, partnership, and enduring quality. For shooters, it remains a benchmark of accuracy and strength. And for those who simply appreciate the craftsmanship of a bygone era, the Model 1885 stands as a shining example of why Winchester and Browning remain two of the most revered names in firearms history.
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