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April 15, 2005
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There are no ledger records for any of the Single Shot Winder Muskets after serial number 109999. I recorded it as I observed it (external source), most likely as it was pictured in an auction catalog.
Because it has the U.S. ordnance markings, it positively was originally shipped to the U.S. Army with a full length stock, and was then later shortened. The NRA Junior Rifle Corps acquired a fair number of the 3rd variation Winder Muskets from the U.S. Government, and then shortened the forend stocks on them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 20, 2019
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Aye, that was a silly question as I already had the information about the ledger, because you wrote it here several time over 
Then it was a good thing that someone got it back to its original state.
I traded it for an earlier .22LR sporting rifle LW with shotgun butt.
April 15, 2005
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freebird1968 said
Aye, that was a silly question as I already had the information about the ledger, because you wrote it here several time overThen it was a good thing that someone got it back to its original state.
I traded it for an earlier .22LR sporting rifle LW with shotgun butt.
At one time, there were undoubtedly a fair number of Winder Musket stocks floating around in the “used parts” market. The Winder Muskets were favored acquisitions for those wanting to build a nice custom varmint rifle, and the first thing that was removed were the stocks. Today, it is very difficult to find any original Single Shot parts, and when you do, the seller wants a small fortune for them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 27, 1992
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Here is a Winchester Letter on one of the second variations. You will notice the 9 years between when the receiver was made and when it was assembled and sent to the warehouse. It is a High Wall receiver. Non-lettered features: Win. A-5 Scope (with Post Aperture), Lyman 103 “WM” Tang, Lyman 17 W/Pin & Aperture. The original rear Musket Sight was included with the two screws. Not “Original” But who could ask for more? RDB
April 15, 2005
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Rodger,
Thanks for posting the CFM letter for your 2nd variation TD Winder Musket.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Yes thank you as well Roger. I just ordered one for mine after seeing yours.
RickC
March 15, 2020
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Bert, do you know of any Winder muskets without a serial no.? My friend has one that was a wreck when he got it for $20. The 22 barrel was shot out and a broken stock. It was rusty but he has cleaned the rust away. Knowing him he probably used Kroil on it. It has a coil spring with the letter A on the tang. He has shortened the broken stock to just in front of the barrel band and rebarreled with a Stevens barrel. But no serial no. Any thoughts? Don
April 15, 2005
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86Win said
Bert, do you know of any Winder muskets without a serial no.? My friend has one that was a wreck when he got it for $20. The 22 barrel was shot out and a broken stock. It was rusty but he has cleaned the rust away. Knowing him he probably used Kroil on it. It has a coil spring with the letter A on the tang. He has shortened the broken stock to just in front of the barrel band and rebarreled with a Stevens barrel. But no serial no. Any thoughts? Don
Don,
The only explanation is that the lower tang was replaced. All original Winder Muskets were serialized, and the stamped numerals were quite deep, making it nearly impossible to remove the S/N without seeing very noticeable damage to the tang.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF ANY ACCOUNT OR DESCRPTION OF HOW TO REMOVE AND RELACE THE COIL MAINSPRING IN THE WINDER MUSKETS?? THAT THING IS LIKE A BEARTRAP.
April 15, 2005
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JEFF SLOCUM said
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF ANY ACCOUNT OR DESCRPTION OF HOW TO REMOVE AND RELACE THE COIL MAINSPRING IN THE WINDER MUSKETS?? THAT THING IS LIKE A BEARTRAP.
Jeff,
My advice to people such as yourself is this… unless it is absolutely necessary, do not remove it!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Have 2 of the low walls serial # 1232424 @118457. Love plinking with them
April 15, 2005
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William Gilson said
Have 2 of the low walls serial # 1232424 @118457. Love plinking with them
Hello William,
Please provide the details for each of your Winder Muskets.
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 24, 2017
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Bert, links to a couple single shots that auction this Sunday:
The 25-20 WCF is of interest to me, but is a low wall, so not sure what the correct description is or if it original.
I hope these are of interest and new entries.
Kevin
April 15, 2005
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I saw both of those a few days ago. The low-wall is ordnance marked and was originally a 22 Short.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 24, 2017
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Thank you, Bert.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MR. BERT HOFFMAN”S COMMENTS ON A WINDER MUSKET BEING SOLD AT MERZ ANTIQUE FIREARMS. ITEM #W066
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT SIZE THE APERATURE WAS ON THE 1/2 EYECUP USED FOR THE WINCHESTER MODEL 87??
April 15, 2005
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JEFFREY said
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT SIZE THE APERATURE WAS ON THE 1/2 EYECUP USED FOR THE WINCHESTER MODEL 87??
The aperture was the standard Lyman disc with a 3/8″ (.375) OD.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 15, 2026
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Hi Folks!
I have my grandfather’s high school rifle team Sedgley conversion, S/N 125464, and thought it might be of interest here.
It’s always been a Rifle of Legend in our family, with a consistent, light trigger and excellent accuracy. THANK you Bert for the nice 2010 article, and this channel for discussion. Neat!
Bert, I imagine you’re still collecting details for the survey, correct? I’d like to submit, but the rifle doesn’t “fit” into the form well, so here are some images.
Let me know if I should still get you the form, Bert … I can just do the best I can with it, mostly in the “Known History” box.
-Mac
April 15, 2005
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hughmac4 said
Hi Folks!
I have my grandfather’s high school rifle team Sedgley conversion, S/N 125464, and thought it might be of interest here.
It’s always been a Rifle of Legend in our family, with a consistent, light trigger and excellent accuracy. THANK you Bert for the nice 2010 article, and this channel for discussion. Neat!
Bert, I imagine you’re still collecting details for the survey, correct? I’d like to submit, but the rifle doesn’t “fit” into the form well, so here are some images.Let me know if I should still get you the form, Bert … I can just do the best I can with it, mostly in the “Known History” box.
-Mac
The 2025 article is a more detailed & revised version of what I wrote back in 2010. It is in the most recent WACA Collector magazine.
Your R.F. Sedgley Single Shot is interesting in that it is still a rim fire. Most of the rifles that were built by Sedgley (using the leftover parts purchased from Winchester in 1923) were center fire 22 Hornets.
The thick-side high-wall receiver frame on your Single Shot is serious overkill for a 22 Long Rifle. That style of receiver frame was commonly used for the center fire Muskets in the 45-70 caliber.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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