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Winchester 22 Rifle

ffisherman
I inherited a Winchester 22 Short single shot rifle from my father when he passed away. I am trying to learn the model number and any history of the rifle. I was told it came from the USCG. It has "US" stamped behind the breech. It was Patented October 7, 1879. It has a number which I assume is the serial number 129054.

It is in descent shape but is missing it's firing pin. Before I invest too much into restoring the rifle I would also like to get an approximate value for it.

Again, any information you could provide would be very appreciated.

Thanks
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Hello ffisherman...

    What you have is a Model 87 Winder Musket (WM). The Model 87 was the third and final variant of the Model 1885 Winder Muskets, and it was in production from January 1918 until June of 1920. A total of 12,735 of them were manufactured, and of that total, approximately 11,800 were delivered to the U.S. Military (Springfield Armory), where they were subsequently distributed to several branches of the U.S Armed forces as training firearms, including the USCG.

    Your particular M87 WM was made in late 1918. Approximately 95% of the total production were marked for the 22 Short cartridge, but in reality, all of them will chamber a 22 Long Rifle cartridge. Winchester apparently decided to ream the chambers the same length for all of them, but since the contract with the Goverment was for "22 Short", that is how they were marked.

    The unique rear receiver sight was specifically made by Lyman for the Model 87 WM, and it is referred to as a No. 53.

    In normally found condition, they are worth about $700. If in exceptionally fine condition, they can go as high as $1200.


    Update... Your question about the gun originally belonging to the U.S. Coast Guard motivated me to look in my records for known Winder Muskets serial numbers delivered to the USCG, and the following is what I have found so far;

    Serials: 109230, 119130, 119268, 120438, 121931, 122275, 122563, 123250, 125208, 126027, 126790, 128181, 129453, 131434, 132855, 132893, 136263, 137142, and 138107.

    Just because you WM is not on this list, that does not mean it was not delivered to the USCG... it simply means that it is not on the verified "known" list.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • ffisherman
    quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
    Hello ffisherman...

    What you have is a Model 87 Winder Musket (WM). The Model 87 was the third and final variant of the Model 1885 Winder Muskets, and it was in production from January 1918 until June of 1920. A total of 12,735 of them were manufactured, and of that total, approximately 11,800 were delivered to the U.S. Military (Springfield Armory), where they were subsequently distributed to several branches of the U.S Armed forces as training firearms, including the USCG.

    Your particular M87 WM was made in late 1918. Approximately 95% of the total production were marked for the 22 Short cartridge, but in reality, all of them will chamber a 22 Long Rifle cartridge. Winchester apparently decided to ream the chambers the same length for all of them, but since the contract with the Goverment was for "22 Short", that is how they were marked.

    The unique rear receiver sight was specifically made by Lyman for the Model 87 WM, and it is referred to as a No. 53.

    In normally found condition, they are worth about $700. If in exceptionally fine condition, they can go as high as $1200.


    Update... Your question about the gun originally belonging to the U.S. Coast Guard motivated me to look in my records for known Winder Muskets serial numbers delivered to the USCG, and the following is what I have found so far;

    Serials: 109230, 119130, 119268, 120438, 121931, 122275, 122563, 123250, 125208, 126027, 126790, 128181, 129453, 131434, 132855, 132893, 136263, 137142, and 138107.

    Just because you WM is not on this list, that does not mean it was not delivered to the USCG... it simply means that it is not on the verified "known" list.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
    0
  • ffisherman
    Sir,

    I have no idea of what the rifle is worth. My 16 year old son spied it in the ceiling of out basement and inquired about it. My plans were to "recondition" it so we could use the rifle for target shooting. Essentiall I want to replace the firing pin and have it cleaned and thoroughly checked out by a reputable fire arms repair store.

    I don't mean to sound cheap, but I didn't want to put $100 into a $50 rifle so that it could fire. I wouldn't part with the rifle since it was my father's regardless of whether I returned it to fully operational condition, but I would consider displaying it.

    Thanks for you reply.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by ffisherman
    Sir,

    I have no idea of what the rifle is worth. My 16 year old son spied it in the ceiling of out basement and inquired about it. My plans were to "recondition" it so we could use the rifle for target shooting. Essentiall I want to replace the firing pin and have it cleaned and thoroughly checked out by a reputable fire arms repair store.

    I don't mean to sound cheap, but I didn't want to put $100 into a $50 rifle so that it could fire. I wouldn't part with the rifle since it was my father's regardless of whether I returned it to fully operational condition, but I would consider displaying it.

    Thanks for you reply.



    Hello ffisherman...

    You are quite welcome.

    The only thing that you should have done to it, is replace the firing pin, and have it properly cleaned... to do anything else to it, could/would reduce its value. Rest assured, any Winchester Model 1885/87 Single-shot that is in original (unaltered) condition is very collectable, and the value will only go up in time. Please contact me at Win1885@msn.com (I can help you with the missing firing pin).

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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