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The Model 1885 Winder Muskets by Bert Hartman
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Bert H.
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March 19, 2021 - 1:53 pm
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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 pictures 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

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freebird1968
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March 19, 2021 - 5:32 pm
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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 EmbarassedKiss

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.

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Bert H.
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March 19, 2021 - 5:58 pm
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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 over EmbarassedKiss

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.  

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

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rogertherelic
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March 21, 2021 - 11:57 pm
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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

1885-MUSKET.jpg1885-MUSKET-011.JPG1885-MUSKET-002.JPG1885-MUSKET-003.JPG1885-MUSKET-010.JPG1885-MUSKET-001.JPG

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Bert H.
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March 22, 2021 - 12:17 am
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Rodger,

Thanks for posting the CFM letter for your 2nd variation TD Winder Musket.

Bert

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RickC
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March 22, 2021 - 12:19 am
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Yes thank you as well Roger. I just ordered one for mine after seeing yours.

RickC

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86Win
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March 22, 2021 - 1:17 pm
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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

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Bert H.
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March 22, 2021 - 1:58 pm
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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

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JEFF SLOCUM
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August 17, 2021 - 2:48 pm
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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.

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Bert H.
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August 18, 2021 - 1:56 am
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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

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William Gilson
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November 21, 2021 - 7:10 pm
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Have 2 of the low walls serial # 1232424 @118457. Love plinking with them 

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Bert H.
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November 23, 2021 - 3:53 am
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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]

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Colsuper
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March 7, 2023 - 3:14 am
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Bert, links to a couple single shots that auction this Sunday:

https://www.proxibid.com/Guns-Military-Artifacts/Rifles/Rare-Winchester-Third-Model-87-Winder-Musket-22-L/lotInformation/73990952

https://www.proxibid.com/Guns-Military-Artifacts/Recreational-Shooting/Winchester-Model-87-Winder-Musket-Single-Shot/lotInformation/73990944

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 

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Bert H.
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March 7, 2023 - 4:35 am
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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.

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Colsuper
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March 9, 2023 - 12:20 am
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Thank you, Bert.  

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JEFFREY SLOCUM
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November 2, 2023 - 3:04 pm
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I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MR. BERT HOFFMAN”S COMMENTS ON A WINDER MUSKET BEING SOLD AT MERZ ANTIQUE FIREARMS. ITEM #W066

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JEFFREY
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June 13, 2025 - 4:24 pm
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DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT SIZE THE APERATURE WAS ON THE 1/2 EYECUP USED  FOR THE WINCHESTER MODEL 87??

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Bert H.
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June 13, 2025 - 4:36 pm
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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

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