
March 15, 2020

Bert, ran across single shot 22 (sold before I could get it) with a single set trigger, finger grooves, unusual rear sight (seller says Krag). It was a ladder sight with windage screw. Also marked U S near hammer. The receiver and lever were flat black. I have seen reference to Krag or Springfield rear sights for these rifles. I believe the SN was 133307. The wood was good but very dark. I was haggling at $1200 when it sold to somebody else. Did I miss out? Don

April 15, 2005

No, you did not miss out. The serial number and the Ordnance marking on it identifies it as a Third Variation (Model 87) Winder Musket. None of them were ever factory fitted with a single set trigger, or with a Krag barrel mounted rear sight. All Model 87 Winder Muskets were fitted with a receiver mounted (right-hand side) Lyman No. 53 peep sight. You did not mention which .22 caliber cartridge it was chambered for, but all of the ordnance marked Model 87 Winder Muskets were 22 SHORTs.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L

April 15, 2005

86Win said
Bert, Just found. Look at Stroebels book pp 306-307. I’m confused. Thanks, Don
Don,
This is another case of “Don’t believe everything you read“. Nick Stroebel is NOT a Winchester firearms expert, and as such, the information that he has on pages 306 & 307 is NOT accurate!
As it related to the Winder Muskets, Winchester never used “iron” front sights, nor were they ever “dovetailed to the barrel“. The Lyman No. 53 receiver was the standard sight for all of the low-wall Winder Muskets (not optional), and it is the sight that is near mirror image of a Lyman No. 45. His statement (on page 307) “The front sight is an iron blade pinned to a boss that is integral with the barrel” is NOT correct. It is a steel blade, and the sight base was silver soldered to the barrel.
The information that I previously posted in this topic is the true facts.
For what it is worth, I just submitted my newly updated and enhanced article discussing the Single Shot Winder Muskets in great detail. It should be in the next edition of the Winchester Collector magazine.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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