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Winchester · Rifle

Winchester Model 1885 Winder Musket

Falling block · .22 Short · introduced 1905

Also known as Winder Musket, Model 1885 Winder Musket, .22 Winder Musket

About the Winchester Model 1885 Winder Musket

The Winchester Model 1885 Winder Musket is a single-shot, falling-block .22 rimfire training rifle based on John Browning's Model 1885 action. Championed by Colonel Charles B. Winder, it was configured as a full-length military musket with a service-rifle-style stock, handguard and aperture sights so that soldiers could practice marksmanship with a rifle of similar size and weight to their issue arm while firing inexpensive .22 Short (or .22 Long Rifle) ammunition. Purchased by U.S. Ordnance and distributed to Army units and NRA-affiliated rifle clubs, it served as a primary marksmanship trainer until superseded by the bolt-action M1922 trainer.

The rifle is named for Colonel Charles B. Winder, who pushed the Army to adopt a .22 trainer mimicking the size and weight of a service rifle so recruits could learn to shoot cheaply indoors and on gallery ranges.

Winchester Model 1885 Winder Musket specifications

General

Type
Rifle
Action
Falling block
Firing mechanism
Hammer-fired
Trigger
Single stage
Calibres
.22 Short, .22 Long Rifle
Magazine capacity
1 rounds
Magazine
Internal

Dimensions

Barrel length
711 mm (28.0 in)
Weight (empty)
3.86 kg (8.50 lb)

Barrel

Rifling
Right hand

Materials

Barrel
Steel
Receiver / frame
Steel
Stock
Wood
Finish
blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical)
329 m/s (1079 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical)
102 J (75 ft·lb)
Effective range
90 m

History

Introduced
1905
Discontinued
1920
Production status
Discontinued
Country of origin
US
Designer
John Browning

Available calibres

.22 Short.22 Long Rifle

Features

  • Full length military stock
  • Aperture rear sight
  • Handguard
  • Single shot falling block
  • Musket configuration

Safety

  • Half cock hammer

Made in both High Wall and Low Wall action versions. The military musket pattern differs from the sporting and Schuetzen Model 1885 rifles by its full-length stock, handguard and military sights.

This is a variant of the Winchester Model 1885.

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