I just traded for an 1885 Hi-Wall in 38-55. Rifle is in good condition, wood is very good with excellent fit, action is tight, metal is patina but no rust, barrel is #3 but 26 inches vs standard 30". Don't know if barrel was shortened, looks exactly like original muzzle end with same patina as barrel. Front sight is replacement, looks like same as current manufactured 1885 front sights. I have ordered an original style Rocky Mountain replacement front sight.
Here's my problem... I really like this rifle and would like to use for deer hunting,, problem is I'd need an optical sight to compensate for my poor vision.
Will I go to purgatory for drilling the barrel on an original rifle     
Would not drill in Winchester stampings, probably more forward for a scout scope mount... I have a scout scope setup on my Winchester 94 and like the arrangement.
What would you fellows do if this were your rifle? 

It is your rifle and do as you please. You are aware of the 'problems' if you d&t for a modern scope. You might want to see if the Cody Museum can 'letter' the rifle for you before doing anything. If they can, that will give you the original configuration. If it has been changed over the years the value drops substantially. If it does have good value and you require a scope, then rebarrel and set the original aside.

It's your rifle, to do what you will with. 

However, for a rifle in the condition you describe, the cost of drilling it for a scope costs you between $400 and $500 in value on the rifle.  Just about the same as the cost of rebarreling it with another barrel.

Personally, if I felt a need to put a scope on the rifle and hunt with it,  I'd sell it and buy a more appropriate one for hunting like a new Winchester/Browning .38-55, already ready for the scope, and probably more accurate.

dave

SSShooter wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2014 at 8:45am:


Good idea, except for the exorbitant fee charged for this service.  Before doing that, measure the distance from the muzzle to the forward edge of the sight slot--should be exactly 3/4" according to Campbell.  If that checks out, it must be a special order barrel, & worth the cost of a letter.

I have a possible solution for you.  Check your PM.
Bob

As SSDave noted its your rifle do as you please. If you can't use it for your intended purpose
and your motivation for buyimg it do what it takes to make it work. Your hunting memories with it will be priceless and in the future for the same purpose it will still serve others well.


JLouis

SSShooter wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2014 at 1:19pm:


When Winchester GAVE their immensely valuable collection to the Buffalo Bill Museum, I'll bet it was with the tacit assumption that the historical information in these records would remain more or less freely available to collectors as it had been in the past.  "Freely available" wouldn't preclude some nominal charge for the service to discourage those (such as dealers) who might abuse the system, but Cody's charge is out of all proportion to reasonable costs incurred in maintaining these records. 

I have heard that if you call the Cody Museum with your serial number they will look it up and tell you verbally the info about your gun if they have it. 
I have never tried it but Bill Goodman mentions it in a lot of his listings.
It's the actual official letter you have to pay for if you want one sent.

Steve