Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors 1885 Winder Musket

My brother-in-law gave me this rifle. Needless to say I was thrilled to death. He is 80 years old, and shot it as a teenager. The serial number shows it was made in 1913. What a great gift!!!!


The display box is on the fire place mantel.

I'll say a great gift. Very neat. Is it .22 short or .22 L.R.?

22 short

Is it marked with the US Ordnance "bomb" acceptance stamp or other military organization marking? Many of these were used as trainers for troop preparing for WWI or by National Guard units before and after the war.

My dad has one as well.....he told me my Grandfather picked it up used at the local hardware store around 1940 for $2.00. It also has the flaming bomb stamp and is chambered in .22 short. The unique thing about shooting the rifle is that the hammer falling makes more noise than the round going off.

Glad to see another one out there.

had one with a winchester butt plate that told me it was a civilian model .it was re-chamber to WCF that latter became 22hornet by SLEGY of PHILADELPHIA.traded it away back in 1975 at a gun shop .the gun was lost in a fire a short time after. george

Yes, it has the US stamp on it.

When you work the action does the hammer come up at full cock or half cock? The former is the norm but I think some winders were made to come to half cock.

That rifle NEEDS to go squirrel hunting.

Thanks Brent, I learned something new today!!! It goes to half cock.