Catalog Auction info Auction #152 - Two-Day Sale, November 21st & 22nd (#152) 11/21/2026 9:00 AM EST Starts Ending 11/21/2026 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #449 Winchester-Stevens-Pope Model 1885 High Wall Sporting Rifle Identified To Ballistics Pioneer F.W. Mann Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 Starting: $3,500 Description Description: serial #102605, 7mm CF, 30” round barrel with a mostly bright very good bore showing some light frosting nearer the breech and a moderate tool mark impinging along one groove and land about 1” back from muzzle with otherwise strong Pope rifling. The origins of this rifle are described beginning on page 152 of “The Bullet’s Flight From Powder to Target”, the seminal work on ballistics by Dr. F.W. Mann published in 1909. Starting on page 152 he describes receiving three 7mm barrels from Pope on January 1, 1906, one of them 30” long with 1:16” twist rate and 1/32” lands. Mann soldered the bases of his design onto these barrels (which are also illustrated in the book). He then goes on to discuss making perfected 7mm ammunition for these barrels; it appears to be, essentially, a 30-40 Krag modified and necked for 7mm. He continues to discuss testing the 30” barrel in February 1906 and in March he writes the barrel “was fitted to a new Winchester single shot, double set trigger, with Sidle nine-power 7/8 inch telescope tube and Mann’s patent micrometer mountings”. His micrometer mount is also pictured on page 128 which, although not the one currently installed on this rifle, is indeed the very spare mount which is also present and included with the rifle. So, this interesting rifle is no doubt the very rifle specially made and tested by Mann. The barrel shows “STEVENS-POPE” marking and Stevens address and the underside with Pope number “1236” over “16/0”. The muzzle is threaded for a short length and fitted with a coarsely checkered thread protector. The barrel is also equipped with Mann patent wide grooved bases for the scope rings, the rear of which is very finely adjustable. The barrel is toning to a slightly mottled blue-gray patina showing a few light dings and areas of lightly cleaned oxidation staining. The barrel markings otherwise remain strong and the action bears a similar appearance showing some moderate oxidation staining and remnant flakes of bright blue lurking about. The finely checkered walnut forend appears to be from a Stevens rifle and is numbered “815” rating very good plus to very fine showing some mild abrasions and dings. The checkered capped pistolgrip walnut buttstock rates about very good showing some moderate flaking of the original varnish along the sides, light dings and a thin arcing 3” crack at the upper tang going down to the left. The wood shows some nice figure, the hard rubber pistolgrip cap is intact and the buttplate is also quite interesting with a small spur at the toe and a wide 2” tall prong straight up at the heel. The buttplate shows nice tarnished silver finish flaking to ocher brass. The Sidle scope is serial #1534 and retains about 85-90% original blue showing some light handling marks and toning to gray. The scope features crosshair reticle and moderately yellowed but serviceable optics. The set trigger is no longer functional but the action otherwise seems to function normally with the firing trigger. The rifle includes the aforementioned Mann patent micrometer rear scope mount and a spare shortened Winchester No. 4 weight round barrel in 32-40, 20 3/4” long with a mostly bright very fine bore. There are three drilled and tapped holes along the top and the metal surfaces show remnants of blue toning to gray with old oxidation staining. This is a fascinating rifle from the early days of intense ballistic study, indeed bordering on an obsession by Dr. Mann. (13D12693-8) {C&R} [Scott Ashley Collection] (5000/7000) Categories: Firearm, Long Gun Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. 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