Winchester 1885
The Black Powder Cartridge News|Fall 2020
Special Target or Special Sporting Rifle
Tom Oppel
Winchester 1885

The Winchester Model 1885 Single Shot was the work of two late nineteenth-century firearms geniuses. John M. Browning was the initial designer and William Mason redesigned Browning’s patent to make it more easily manufactured by Winchester’s mass production methods. It was a resounding success as the Model 1885 was manufactured from 1885 through 1920, producing approximately 140,000 rifles.

The Browning name is well-known to just about all gun enthusiasts and it still exists today as the “Browning Arms Company.” To say that Browning was a genius could be considered as somewhat of an understatement, as he was probably the most prolific and tireless developer of successful firearm designs in modern history. His list of accomplishments, from single shots to machine guns, boggles the mind. With his single shot and lever-action repeaters, he essentially helped put Winchester among the top of domestic firearm manufacturers in the late nineteenth-century.

William Mason was an unsung genius and somewhat of a ubiquitous figure in the firearms industry. He started at Colt’s facility in 1861, and moved between Remington and Colt, finally ending up at Winchester. He is credited with two important design ideas that all gun cranks are familiar with: the side swing-out cylinder, which pervades all modern revolvers, as well as an even more well-known invention, the Model P Colt. This firearm is more commonly known as the Single Action Army or the “cowboy” Revolver. Mason was involved in other new and improved concepts, especially in the modification of Browning’s designs produced by Winchester, starting with the Model 1885 through the Model 1895 and more.

This story is from the Fall 2020 edition of The Black Powder Cartridge News.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Fall 2020 edition of The Black Powder Cartridge News.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE NEWSView All
ON HUNTING AND SNIPING
The Black Powder Cartridge News

ON HUNTING AND SNIPING

Long-range target shooting here in the U.S. has become increasingly popular, at least since the first International Match with the Irish team in 1874.

time-read
9 mins  |
Summer 2021
Death in the Desert
The Black Powder Cartridge News

Death in the Desert

This Colt .45 “Peacemaker” was found out in the desert in historically one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

time-read
4 mins  |
Summer 2021
A COVID-19 Project
The Black Powder Cartridge News

A COVID-19 Project

As far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, I can’t find much good to say about it. One thing I can say, though; I had a lot of idle time on my hands. After perusing YouTube videos during this time of lockdown, I came across a company that makes rifle kits – Kibler’s Long Rifles.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2021
Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship NSmithmoor Rangen Carpenter, Wyoming – February 20-21, 2021
The Black Powder Cartridge News

Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship NSmithmoor Rangen Carpenter, Wyoming – February 20-21, 2021

The Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship held February 20-21, was a great success! It was a two-day match with 50 record shots per day on the 100-yard German Ring Target from SPG Sales (blackpowderspg.com). Wyoming Schuetzen Union rules were used.

time-read
6 mins  |
Summer 2021
A .40 Caliber Long-Range Rifle
The Black Powder Cartridge News

A .40 Caliber Long-Range Rifle

During a recent stay in New Zealand, we found ourselves in Rotorua, which is the stomping grounds of expert Kiwi rifleman, Laurie Kerr. Laurie has been a friend since we first met at Raton, New Mexico, a number of years ago and we have managed to stay in relatively good communication ever since.

time-read
5 mins  |
Summer 2021
BE MORE THAN A  Wannabe PART II
The Black Powder Cartridge News

BE MORE THAN A Wannabe PART II

Since my first article was published in Issue No. 113 of The Black Powder Cartridge News, I have received several emails and groups from readers.

time-read
5 mins  |
Summer 2021
The Hide Hunting Exploits of HARRY “SAM” YOUNG
The Black Powder Cartridge News

The Hide Hunting Exploits of HARRY “SAM” YOUNG

It’s difficult now to remember exactly where I first read or heard about Hard Knocks by Harry “Sam” Young. The book is an extremely entertaining read and in the Publisher’s Note, it specifically states, “The great lesson of this book is that “truth is stranger than fiction.”

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2021
Match Results
The Black Powder Cartridge News

Match Results

World’s Largest Black Powder Target Rifle Match Phoenix, Arizona – March 1-10, 2021 BEN AVERY SHOOTING FACILITY

time-read
9 mins  |
Summer 2021
The Wyoming Schuetzen Union's “Center Shot”
The Black Powder Cartridge News

The Wyoming Schuetzen Union's “Center Shot”

John Bodine, “Old Reliable”

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2021
Who Was Albert F. Mitchell?
The Black Powder Cartridge News

Who Was Albert F. Mitchell?

When somebody hears the words “Sharps rifle,” the first things that probably come to mind are the great buffalo hunts, the “Wild and Wooly West” and tales of long-range shots, Indian attacks, and hunters freezing in blizzards.

time-read
9 mins  |
Winter 2020