Make: Winchester

Model: “Winder Musket”, 1885 High Wall Musket Model

Serial Number: 128241

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1919-1920

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED OCTOBER 7, 1879.”, toward the rear is “22 LONG R.”. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number and at the rear with “A”. Thetop of the barrel and top of the receiver’s chamber ring each have an ovalled “WP” proof.

Barrel Length: 27.75”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Lyman sight, adjustable for windage & elevation, its base which is screwed to the tang. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. The long forend capped at the front having a single barrel band with sling swivel provision and finger grooves on each side behind the band. The buttstock has a straight grip, straight comb, carbine-style buttplate and a sling plate in the belly with swivel. Aome surface rust shoes on the sling plate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no cracks from damage, but there is a loss in the grip on the right side of the tang at the receiver. The LOP measures 13 ¼” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear, mostly at the heel and toe, with some surface erosion at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued and touched up with cold blue

Finish Originality: Not completely original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with defined rifling. There is no notable erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10 for C&R.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its original metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. The barrel retains strong finish with a few scattered minor marks and a couple of more notable spots of refinish. The action has light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action works correctly. The trigger breaks crisply and is fairly light. The lever locks up solidly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: When they were first manufactured, the John Browning designed Winchester Model 1885 rifles were deemed stronger than the prior Sharps rifles, and the different sight and trigger options available made them an instant hit with hunters and target shooters alike. The Model 1885 rifles were targeted at competitors in “Match Shooting”, a sport which was extremely popular from about 1871 to 1917. The Winchester rifles challenged the Sharps, Remington, Maynard and Ballard rifles, and quickly became known for their reliability and accuracy. Major Ned Roberts, inventor of the .257 Roberts cartridge, described the Model 1885 as “the most reliable, strongest and altogether best single shot rifle ever produced”. This example is a Model High Wall Musket chambered for .22 Long Rifle, also known as the “Winder Musket”. This example is in Very Good-Fine condition, retaining much of its finish, some minor wear in the stock, a great bore and strong mechanics. This rifle will surely interest the Winchester collectors as well as those with an interest for rimfire target rifles. With proper maintenance and care, it could also be out plinking for another century.