Any chance it was a factory re-barrel?

David

Gentlemen, I will be the first to admit I am very much a dilettante with respect to my knowledge of these rifles.  This is my first original Winchester High Wall.  My others are reproductions (Ballard) or the new Japanese High Walls.
It very well could be a factory rebarrel.   It is very nicely done.  As to the post-run build, I have no idea.  Where should I find the serial number?  The only number I see, on the bottom of the receiver, in front of the lever, is 17.

The number 17 was usually found on .22 highwalls.  Does it have a rimfire breechblock?  They will have a lot of taper on the front top edge of the block for camming in .22 shells.  Is there a double proof on the barrel?  The serial number should be on the bottom tang.  Pictures would help.  Bob

Bob, it is not a rimfire block.  I have not pulled the block out yet, but it has been modified for a spring loaded firing pin.  There is a bushing around the rear of the firing pin, as well, but I can't say what it looks like on the front.  My camera is dead right now, but I am attaching the photos from the GB listing.  The right side of the action is pretty nice, the left side less so.  The stock is also very nice.  I've removed the scope.

I went to the gunshow in Monroe today. Mostly just to get out of the house and I needed to renew my WAC membership. I saw a #16 Maynard in 32/35. The price was double what I thought it was worth to me. Then I saw a hiwall 40/65 and an old small frame Colt Lightning.  My legs were trying to keep going but the rest of me kept turning back. I fought the urge hard!  Finally, and considering I only had enough cash to pay my ferry fee home, I headed for the door. A perty gal said hello to me so I had to stay and talk to her. While I was talking to her I noticed a complete 1898 Krag over her shoulder on a table a couple rows over. Yep, I went over and looked at that too. had the wrong rear sight for my eyes thank God!
Finally I turned for the door when a feller slipped past me. My eye caught the forestock inlay on the rifle he was carrying, which I knew was a lowall.  How I knew that I dont know cuz all I saw was the inlay and octagon barrel. I followed him and was just about to tap on his shoulder, but my self control kicked in again and I said to myself... he probly just bought that and he doesnt need me bugging him.  
Finally got out to the truck and was petting my dog when the guy with the lowall passed by. I was caught off guard then and asked if he's just purchased a Winchester. He said no, that he was trying to sell a lowall.  He walked over and we talked about it. It was in a soft case now so was able to use my self control and not ask to see it. It was originally a .22 hipower, think thats what he said, that had been relined to .22 Hornet. I asked what he wanted, he told me, and then my legs began to get all twitchy. After reading this thread I seem to have got a new dose of self control.  I managed to tell the guy I needed another SS rifle like I need another hole in my head.  Managed to tell him to post it here on the forum.    

                          Joe.  

BP, Over the years of looking at Winchesters, I've run across a few that have double proofs like this one and was either told or read somewhere that if it had been returned to the factory for rebarreling, that they double stamped them.  I'll have to get Campbells books out but I believe that Winchester made a run of a couple hundred Hornet barrels for the highwalls and that many were sent back to have original barrels replaced with the Hornets.  Not all were used and it may have been Sedgley that bought up the remaining stock and rebarreled highwalls. I'll have to do more reading.  Bob

Looks like the K was added after the fact.

That's what I was thinking. Is factory loaded ammo available with .223 bullets, or do I have to load my own from the gitgo?