Winchester 1885 Rimfire Rifle Instructions Manual

							As one of the Classic Traditions models you can expect
the same quality and satisfaction as with the original, 
historic Model 1885 introduced by Winchester in 1885.
And, as with the original, you’ll appreciate its elegant
design, strong action and smooth functioning.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS 
FOR
MODEL 1885
SINGLE SHOT, LOW WALL 
RIMFIRE RIFLES
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, UT, USA 84050-9333
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation
Licensee 
						

							Important instructions for 
Winchester Model 1885 
SINGLE SHOT, LOW WALL 
RIMFIRE RIFLES
Customer Service Department
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: 1-800-945-5237
If you have any questions or comments regarding 
your new firearm, please feel free to write or call us.
Use the space below to record information about 
your new firearm.
Model______________________________________
Caliber _____________________________________
Serial Number  ______________________________
Purchased From  _____________________________
Date of Purchase _____________________________
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin CorporationPRINTED IN USA • AO0603 / 03102
1
Contents Page
Gun Safety Warnings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
General Description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Terminology and Descriptions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Serial Number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Initial Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 
Operation of the Hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
General Operating Procedures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Shell Deflector  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Trigger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
In Case of a Misfire  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Firing Procedures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Sight Adjustments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Hammer Extension  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions . . . . . . . . 22
Parts, Service, Repair & Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Website Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 
						

							chambered as indicated on the barrel, to prevent
excessive pressure and possible serious personal
injury.
4. Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause 
serious personal injury and damage to the firearm 
due to excessive pressure. Reload only after proper
instruction and in strict compliance with instruction
and data contained in current reloading manuals.
5. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend
to shoot. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction in
case of accidental discharge.
6. Always check to ensure that the barrel is free of
obstructions before loading and using the gun. If you
experience light recoil or an off sound, open the
action, completely unload the rifle and check the
barrel for obstruction.
7. Before firing, clean any grease or oil out of the
barrel with a cleaning rod and patch. Grease or heavy
accumulation of oil can cause excessive pressure and
result in serious personal injury.
8. Keep barrel, chamber and action free of rust.
Rust in the barrel and chamber can cause excessive
pressures resulting in serious injury. A rusted, pitted
or eroded barrel should be replaced.
9. Use hearing protection to prevent ear damage
from repeated exposure to gunfire.
10. Always use proper shooting glasses to prevent
eye injury from flying particles.
11. Never carry a loaded gun in a motor vehicle or
carry one into a dwelling. Always carefully unload
the gun before entering a motor vehicle, a dwelling 
or an area such as a camp. Always point a gun in a
safe direction while loading or unloading to prevent 
serious injury in case of an accidental discharge.
Never load in the house or in your vehicle.
12. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or at the 
surface of water to avoid a ricochet and possible 
serious personal injury to yourself or a bystander.
3
GUNSAFETYWARNINGS
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BE THOROUGHLY STUDIED
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM TO
ASSURE PROPER AND SAFE GUN 
HANDLING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS OR FAILURE TO OBEY
ANY SAFETY WARNING MAY RESULT IN
INJURY TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS, OR
CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN. 
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these 
responsibilities can be the difference between life 
and death. There is no excuse for careless or abusive
handling of any firearm. At all times handle your 
rifle and any other firearm with intense respect for 
its power and potential danger.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL 
OF THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING 
PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS 
OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE
USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.
1. Do not carry a loaded gun with a live round in
the chamber while walking, running, climbing a tree,
crossing a fence or anywhere you might slip or fall,
drop the gun or otherwise bump or jar the gun. A gun
that is dropped, bumped, or jarred with a chambered
round might accidentally discharge even with the
safety on, causing serious injury to you or someone
else. When a round is chambered keep the safety on
until you are ready to shoot.
2. Do not rely on the safety (half cock position) to
prevent accidental discharge. Many safeties merely
block the trigger and prevent firing by pulling the
trigger. The safety may not prevent an accidental 
discharge due to dropping, jarring, or bumping a gun.
3. Use only ammunition for which the gun is
2 
						

							5
13. Store guns in a clean, dry place out of reach of
children and separated from stored ammunition.
14. Never alter any parts of your gun. Any
alterations or adjustments that may become necessary
to the operating mechanism should be performed by a
qualified gunsmith.
15. Hunting from elevated surfaces such as tree
stands is dangerous. Doing so may increase the risk of
handling any firearm. Always make certain that the
stand being used is safe, sturdy and stable. Always
make certain your firearm is unloaded when it is
being taken up and down from the stand. Always
make certain that your firearm is not dropped from
the stand or dropped while it is being taken up or
down from the stand.
16. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas,
cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result
in exposure to lead and other substances known to
cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other 
serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at
all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
GENERALDESCRIPTION
With the introduction of the Model 1885, the world
of single shot rifles was given a welcome addition. 
In 1885, competitive target shooting in America had
the stature professional golf has today. Huge matches
were held at places like Creedmore, New York.
Spectators would number in the thousands. 
The Model 1885 was uniquely suited to the long
range accuracy shooting of the day. 
It didn’t take long for hunters to embrace the 1885
because of the challenge of hunting with a single shot
and the wide variety of hunting chamberings available.
Among them, smaller, rimfire calibers.
Although other single shots had proceeded it, a new
4
standard was set. Over the years it has certainly
appeared that the original Winchester single shot 1885
could not be improved upon. It was very close to 
perfection when it was first made and remains so today.
Figure 1 covers the general features and benefits 
of the Model 1885 Low Wall design. After reading the
warnings at the beginning of this manual, Figure 1 is a
good place to start to become familiar with your rifle.
Cycling the lever downward opens the breech and
drops the hammer down. This leaves easy access to
the chamber area for inserting a round. When the
lever is returned upward the breech closes and the
hammer moves upward again — but now the hammer
is in the cocked position.
After firing, the lever can be returned downward
which again lowers the breech block and the 
hammer, and at the same time extracts the cartridge.
Your new rifle is the Low Wall configuration, which
lends itself particularly well to smaller cartridges.
With a few minor exceptions, the action is the same
as that found on the originals. 
This manual covers the features of all new models of
the rimfire Model 1885 after 2002. If you should have
an older model of the Rimfire Model 1885, please call
our Customer Service Dept. at 1-800-945-5237.
TERMINOLOGY ANDDESCRIPTIONS
Descriptions in this manual generally refer to the gun
in the horizontal position. That is, in the normal
firing position. For example, the muzzle is forward or
front; the buttstock is rearward or rear; the trigger is
downward or underneath; the sights are upward or on
top. For general parts terminology refer to Figures 2A,
2B and 2C. Throughout this manual the “action”
refers to the mechanism which secures the cartridge
in the chamber. 
						

							76
MODEL1885 FEATURES
Traditional open sights
are easily adjustable for 
elevation and drift
adjustable for windage
FIGURE1
The Winchester 1885 Low Wall of today 
is a careful reproduction of one of the original 
configurations. You can take pride in owning one 
of the finest, most accurate rifles ever produced. 
The massive breech block design
is one reason the Model 1885 has
proven so accurate 
A special internal hanger system
allows the forearm to be free floating
so it will not affect accuracy
When the lever is cycled forward, the
hammer actually drops down
out of the way, making loading and
unloading very convenient Traditional three-position
hammer: dropped, half cock
and full cock
Drilled and tapped for
scope mounts 
(Available separately)
Cartridge ejector
system and shell
deflector 
						

							9
SERIALNUMBER
The serial number can be found on the lower right
side of the receiver toward the rear corner (Figure 3).
Record it in the space provided at the front of this
manual for future reference.
AMMUNITION
Your Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall is designed
to shoot modern factory cartridges only. The caliber
of your new Model 1885 is inscribed on the barrel
near the receiver. Use only ammunition for which
your Model 1885 is chambered — as indicated on the
barrel — to prevent excessive pressure and possible 
serious injury. Winchester ammunition is always an
excellent choice for your new Winchester rifle, 
delivering the unmatched performance and
dependability you want. 
MAKE SURE YOU USE 
ONLY THE EXACT AMMUNITION/CALIBER
AS LISTED ON THE BARREL.
DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY
VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING
8
FIREARMS OR HANDLING AMMUNITION
MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND
OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE
BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM
AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY.
HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL
TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY
AFTER EXPOSURE.
FIGURE2A
Forearm
ButtplateEjector (below
the chamber) 
Trigger  Buttstock
Muzzle Rear Sight
Receiver Hammer
Finger Lever
Front Sight Barrel
Breech Block
FIGURE2B
Rear scope
mount holes
HammerChamber
opening
Breech block Top tang 
						

							OPERATION OF THEHAMMER
Like most lever action rifles with exposed hammers, 
the Winchester Model 1885 does not have a separate
manual safety. The exposed hammer is an excellent
indicator of the status of the rifle. The hammer 
has three positions: full cock, half cock, and dropped
or fired.
FULL COCK POSITION—
The hammer is all the way to the rear (Figure 4). At
this point, any pull or tug on the trigger will force the
hammer to fall, firing the rifle.The hammer can be
placed in this position in either of two ways. First,
every time the lever is cycled lever linkages will leave
the hammer in the full cock position. The hammer
may also be placed at full cock by manually moving it
rearward with the thumb until it engages the full
cock notch. Be sure to keep your finger off the trigger
while cocking the hammer.
HALF COCK POSITION—
The half cock notch on the hammer is a safety 
feature designed to protect against accidental 
discharge of the rifle in the event the hammer slips
11
INITIALCLEANING
Before the first firing, clean the anti-rust compound
from the inside of the barrel and receiver with a clean
rag and light gun oil. Lightly oil the action along 
the sides of the breech block and at the pivot points
on the lever. Only a light film of oil will ever be 
necessary. To prevent rust, regularly wipe down all
metal surfaces with an oiled rag. See “Cleaning and
Maintenance Suggestions” later in the manual.
10
FIGURE2C
Bottom of
breech block Trigger
adjustment
screw Lever in downward position
(underside view)
Lever
Trigger
FIGURE3
Record your serial number
for future reference
FIGURE4
Full Cock (fire) position
of the hammer 
						

							from the thumb while the rifle is being cocked
(Figure 5). The half cock hammer position should be
used for handling and storage — any time that the
rifle is not actually being fired. It is important to 
note that the Model 1885 has an inertia sear which
prevents the hammer from going to the dropped 
position unless the trigger is pulled with the hammer
in the fully cocked position.
DROPPED OR FIRED POSITION— 
The dropped hammer position is the position of the
hammer after a round is fired (Figure 6). The dropped
position should not be used as a safety position of the
hammer. Whenever the hammer has fallen to the
dropped position (after firing, for example) it should be
immediately moved to the half cock position. 
LOWERING THE HAMMER TO HALF COCK— 
Always make certain when lowering the hammer
from full cock to the half cock position that your
thumb is securely and squarely on the hammer and
that the rifle is pointed in a safe direction. 
A wise practice to follow is to place your thumb,
extended, over the hammer with the point of your
thumb just over the “V” between the hammer and
the firing pin so that your thumb can act as a cushion
13
against accidental hammer fall, and at the same time,
ease the hammer into the half cock notch. A little
practice with an empty rifle will enable you to
become adept at using your thumb in this manner. 
To lower the hammer to half cock: 
1. Pull the hammer slightly rearward with your
thumb still controlling the hammer.
2. Squeeze the trigger and allow the hammer to
slowly begin forward travel under the control of 
your thumb. 
3. When the hammer has passed the full cock 
position, immediately remove your finger from the
trigger. 
4. Carefully lower the hammer until it catches on
the half cock position.
It is possible to move the hammer from the dropped to
the half cock position by partially opening the lever. 
LEVEROPENPOSITION—
Whenever possible, the lever should be lowered down
and fully forward to open the action and lower the
breech block. This is the safest status for your rifle.
When shooting at ranges, and many other times, the
action should be opened unless shooting is imminent.
12
FIGURE5
Half cock (safe)
position of the
hammer
This is the correct position
for handling and storage
FIGURE6
This is the position of the 
hammer after the trigger has 
been pulled from full cock Dropped position  
						

							PLACING THE HAMMER ON HALF COCK—
After loading the rifle, when shooting is not imminent,
the correct position of the hammer is at half cock, as 
pictured in Figure 5 (see “Operation of Hammer” section
for correct procedure). When the hammer is in the half
cock position, you need only thumb the hammer back to
the full cock position to prepare the rifle for firing.
UNLOADING— 
After firing, or in order to remove a cartridge, swing
the lever down crisply. As the lever swings forward,
the breech block and the hammer move down in the
receiver. At the end of the lever cycle, the cartridge
is ejected.
SHELLDEFLECTOR
The ejector on newer Low Wall 1885 models ejects
the fired cartridge clear of the chamber at the end of
the lever cycle. As a shell is ejected, it will strike the
shell deflector which is at the back of the receiver,
behind the hammer. The angle of deflection is
adjustable using a screwdriver. Rotate the deflector 
to one of the click-stop positions. The deflector may
be set in a diagonal position to the left or right,
deflecting the shell to the left or right respectively,
and clearing the stock (Figure 10). To avoid ejecting
15
GENERALOPERATINGPROCEDURES
With a cartridge in the chamber, and the hammer at
full cock, the rifle will fire a single round when the
trigger is squeezed. The lever is then rotated 
downward, ejecting the fired cartridge. An unfired
cartridge may now be placed in the chamber. The
hammer remains in the full cock position as the lever
is closed, readying the rifle for firing another round. 
LOADING— 
To load your Model 1885, swing the lever down and
fully forward to lower the breech block (Figure 8).
Manually insert a cartridge into the chamber (Figure
9). The cartridge should be inserted fully into the
chamber to prevent interference with the breech
block as it is closed. The top front surface of the
breech block is channeled to help load a cartridge
protruding slightly from the chamber, but it is best to
develop a habit of pushing the cartridge all the way
into the chamber. Now close the lever. This locks
the action and leaves the hammer in the full cock,
ready-to-fire position. 
14
FIGURE8
Work the finger lever 
downward and forward crisply
to open the breech block
FIGURE9
Insert a cartridge
into the chamber 
Be sure to push the
cartridge all the way
in 
						

							NEVER ATTEMPT IN ANY WAY TO MODIFY
OR ALTER SEAR ENGAGEMENT OR ANY
OTHER TRIGGER ASSEMBLY COMPONENT.
IN THECASE OF AMISFIRE
Only rarely will modern factory ammunition experience
a misfire. If this ever happens to you when shooting
your Model 1885, please follow these instructions
carefully. 
CAUTION: IN CASE OF MISFIRE, KEEP THE
BARREL POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
AND CAREFULLY OPEN THE ACTION
WHILE AVOIDING DIRECT EXPOSURE TO
THE BREECH BY YOURSELF AND OTHERS. 
Carefully inspect the extracted cartridge. If the 
cartridge rim is indented, the cartridge should be 
disposed of in a manner that would prevent accidental
injury to you or others. 
If there is no indentation, your gun has malfunctioned.
After extensive shooting, grime in the firing pin 
components may cause misfires. Clean the firing pin
17
the shell straight back, always keep the deflector in
the right, left or retained position. (Figure 11).
TRIGGER
The trigger of the Winchester Model 1885 is adjusted
at the factory. The trigger pull can be adjusted in a
range of approximately 3
1⁄2pounds to over 5 pounds 
by using a small screwdriver (Figure 12). Clockwise
rotation decreases the pull weight to a minimum of
approximately 3
1⁄2pounds. Counterclockwise rotation
increases the trigger pull to a maximum of approxi-
mately 5 pounds. If the trigger pull force adjustment 
is increased too far, the trigger system becomes 
inoperative. Should this happen, merely back off the
adjustment until the mechanism is again operative. 
WARNING: NEVER TAMPER WITH THE
TRIGGER PULL ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM
IN ORDER TO ALTER THE MINIMUM 
SETTING OF THIS OR ANY OTHER
FIREARM'S TRIGGER PULL.
16
FIGURE12
Clockwise decreases
pull, counterclockwise
increases pull Use a small screwdriver to
adjust the trigger pull
FIGURE10
FIGURE11
Deflector in “catch” position
(retains cartridge) Deflector in “deflect to right” position