Make: Winchester
Model: 1885 Winder Musket, Second Variation, Solid Frame
Serial Number: 118085
Year of Manufacture: 1917 C&R
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot
Barrel Length: 28" Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a dual sided ramped base, milled to the barrel. The rear sight is a Krag-Jorgensen Model 1901 military wind gauge rear sight mounted to the barrel immediately forward of the frame ring. The tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece smooth walnut, straight grip, straight comb, perch belly forend with finger grooves, and steel buttplate. There are scratches, compressions, and small nicks. There are cracks in the top of the wrist at the end of the tang. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. There are sling mounts installed. There is modest oxidation on the plate. Overall the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued receiver, barrel, hammer, and lever. The breech block is case hardened.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered erosion down the length of the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 45% of its metal finish. The receiver has mostly tuned to a mottled brown patina with scattered oxidation and light corrosion. The balance of the finish on the barrel is generally strong with scattered oxidation and areas of thinning. The case colors on the breech block are generally muted with some strong figuring still visible in the protected areas. There is thinning on the leading edges. There is old grease on most of the small components. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: The Winchester Winder Musket was developed from John M. Browning's Model 1885 action as a full-size, small-bore rifle suited to economical marksmanship training. Named for noted marksman Colonel Charles B. Winder, these rifles became closely associated with the organized rifle-training movement of the early 20th century. The Second Variation was introduced in late 1911 and retained the High Wall receiver while incorporating a coil-spring action, 28" heavy round barrel, military-style stock, and the distinctive barrel-mounted Model 1901 Krag-Jorgensen wind-gauge rear sight. Serial number 118085 falls comfortably within the recognized Second Variation production range.
This Winder Musket is in Good condition, retaining about 45% of its original metal finish. The barrel retains comparatively strong blue with scattered oxidation and thinning, while the receiver has largely aged to a mottled brown patina with areas of oxidation and light corrosion. The walnut stocks remain in Very Good condition with scattered handling wear and minor cracks at the upper tang. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling where unaffected by scattered erosion and rates 5/10. The falling-block action functions correctly. Its desirable Second Variation High Wall configuration, .22 Long Rifle chambering, original military-style sights, and substantial surviving originality give this rifle considerable appeal to Winchester and early American marksmanship collectors.
