The type of rifle action that is known as the highwall was originally invented by John Moses Browning and patented in 1879. At that time Winchester Repeating Arms Co. was very successfully selling their model 73 and 76 repeating rifles but these actions were too week to be used with the large powerful cartridges used by western hunters and the repeaters were not well liked by the publicity generating target shooters of the day. In the early 1880"s a Winchester executive heard of the Browning rifle and eventually bought the Patent and hired Mr. Browning, the beginning of very fruitful relationship.

Winchester's master mechanic (chief engineer), William Mason, modified Browning’s design to make it easier to mass produce. The interchangeable trigger assemblies which increased the rifles marketing versatility are a notable Mason feature.

Rifles built on the single shot action were first shipped in November of 1885 and production continued until June 1920. 139,725 rifles are reported to have been built.

Winchester Repeating Arms Company referred to their single shot rifles as either the "Model ‘85" or as "The Single Shot". The names "Highwall" and "Low-wall" was never used by Wincheaster but shooters and writers of the period adopted the names to differentiate the two Winchester action styles. The names became synonymous with the Model ‘85. The "Highwall" has receiver sides that extend up to the height of the top of the barrel shank while the "Low-wall’s" receiver sides are milled away to allow easier access to the chamber for easier loading. Because the breech block is not as well supported, the "Low-wall" is not as strong as the "Highwall". It was chambered for cartridges that are commonly used in revolvers. The "Highwall", on the other hand, is extremely strong. Legend has it that the Dupont Powder Company used thick side "Highwall" actions for testing up to WW II. Winchester chambered the "Highwall" in nearly everything from the 22 Short to 30-06 and from 20 ga. shotgun to .50-140 Sharps.

Because of there nearly universal acceptance among single shot shooters and collectors, Meacham Tool & Hardware Co. Inc. has adopted the names Highwall and Low-wall for the reproduction that we produce.

The highwall was one of the last successful single shot actions designed. As such, it drew upon the experience of it’s predecessors. It’s breech block moves at a 85 degree angle to the bore. This allows the cartridge to be cammed into the rifling unlike rifles built on the Rolling Block, Sharps and Hepburn actions. The light centrally hung hammer does not disturb the rifle as much as does the heavy side hammer of the Sharps and Trapdoor Springfield. The firing pin is not as prone to break as the dog-legged Sharps and is better suited to high pressure cartridges than the angled firing pins of the 44 1/2 Stevens and Hepburn. The hammer drops down out of the way for cleaning unlike the Stevens actions without the large drop of the Hepburn. The action is strong enough to handle most any cartridge unlike the weak Rolling Block, Trapdoor and Ballard - not only a matter of very important safety but a strong stiff action makes accuracy easier to achieve. The Highwall’s extractor is strong and provides good leverage. Also of great importance is the fact that the Highwall makes a very attractive rifle.

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