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March 23, 2007
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Bert,
Don’t know if the 1885 Winder Muskets interest you, but this sure is a rare one. I would say a unique rifle, but apparently there were five of them manufactured. Though I do not own an 1885 rifle, I must say I do find this intriguing.
http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/61/lid/1012
Matt
November 9, 2008
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Wow, what a GEM!
April 15, 2005
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Matt,
Technically, the Model 1885 in question is not a "Winder" Musket. Instead it is simply a unique low-wall Musket.
There is another one of them on display at the CFM, but if memory serves, the display states that there were only three of them made.
I have seen this particular Musket several times in the past few years. It was most recently sold at James D. Julia’s March 2012 auction. I believe that I first ran into it at the Las Vegas winter Antique Arms show back in January of 2002.
It is also listed in the “Inventory Of The Winchester Firearms
Reference Collection” book, pg. 298 #2031. Listed as follows:
[color=blue:50c43fabb2]Winchester experimental single shot musket take down
Cal. .22 short
Full length 46 ½ in.
Barrel length 29 ½ in.
Carbine rear sight. Open military type front sight.
Serial number 107,633
Winchester proof marks
Made in 1917.
Take down model made to take angular bayonet for drill purposes. Model 73 musket bands. Barrel stock and forearm similar to M-73
and 92.
*Sold A A.A.[rnold][/color:50c43fabb2]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 23, 2007
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Thanks for that information Bert. It sure is a cool rifle. I try to stick the 1894s, but I could see something like that hanging on my wall. I like TD rifles of all models, and this is really unique. It is interesting to see the differences in estimates for the gun between the 2012 JDJ auction and this Spring’s RIA auction.
I’ll have to take a look in my copy of the “Inventory Of The Winchester Firearms Reference Collection”. Nice to see a gun with some provenance and that has not been messed with…still thinking about that engraved 71 and the accompanying letter work.
Matt
