Winchester Repeating Arms 1885 Centerfire - Manual (Page 14)

from the thumb while the rifle is being cocked
(Figure 5). The half cock hammer position should be
used for handling and storage — any time that the
rifle is not actually being fired. It is important to
note that the Model 1885 has an inertia sear which
prevents the hammer from going to the dropped
position unless the trigger is pulled with the hammer
in the fully cocked position.
D ROPPED OR FIRED POSITION —
The dropped-hammer position is the position of the
hammer after a round is fired (Figure 6). The
dropped position should not be used as a safety
position of the hammer. Whenever the hammer has
fallen to the dropped position (after firing, for
example) it should be immediately moved to the
half cock position.
L OWERING THE HAMMER TO HALF COCK —
Always make certain when lowering the hammer
from full cock to the half cock position that your
thumb is securely and squarely on the hammer and
that the rifle is pointed in a safe direction.
A wise practice to follow is to place your thumb
extended over the hammer with the point of your
thumb just over the “V” between the hammer and
12
F I G U R E 5
Half cock (safe) position
of the hammer
This is the correct
position for
handling and storage
03-101_WFA_1885 Centerfire 7/17/03 11:16 AM Page 12