Winchetser 1885? Trap?

[AR22]

I see a functioning gun like that, and I always wonder WTH happened to the rest of it, and why did they take it apart in the first place?
I don't see anything that indicates it was in a fire, and if it was, if the springs are still good, the rest is too. A bare HiWall action, "if" you can find one for sale, is going to be $600+, and for me anyhow, finding one in rimfire would be a plus to build a .17HMR on.

Thanks Trap and Toro and others that posted..I appreciate it..

Bert got back to me..Nice of him to help.. Kinda bad news but it was bought as a project anyway..Never going to be a collectors item..If I do much with it..I will maybe just buy a regular 1885 stock, forearm, a Marbles tang sight, and front sight and call it good.

Here is what Berts evaluation was in a nutshell.

1st Variation Winder Musket, received in the warehouse on February 15th, 1910, 22 Long R. with a "Spec. Rear St." which normally indicates it was the Hotchkiss sight versus the Krag Model 1901 sight.

Has a second variation Barrel installed at some point in its life..Still a neat old Relic to me..Another caliber might be a option..But may get too expensive for what I want to put in it..

He said the Receiver sight is not supposed to be there for 1st variation either. It was also added later also..

I did find that the receiver sight is a Model 41 maybe, not a 53. Regardless he said it should not be there..
No evidence of a Fire..Just neglect I suppose..I often wander too how this stuff ends like this..I have one too..But a friend just picked up a 1920s Shareholders Marlin .410 Lever Gun. Decent shape but the bolt, magazine assembly and forearm were gone..Shame

[AR22]

I spent most of the day draw Filing, sanding and polishing. Pic of it now.

I have a nice set of complete original Winder Musket wood on the way too, all Metal included also.....Will post a pic in the wood as soon as it arrives.

Trap, you mentioned 17 Caliber..Well I have a 17 Caliber Liner on the way..But I am going to Chamber it in 17 Mach II...I really like that little Bugger of a round a lot..Hopefully it all goes well and shoots nice..

Going withe a Lyman 17A sight up front..And a Lyman 41 Receiver sight at the rear. Like the one in the photo..But the new one in complete and working..LOL

One of my bigger concerns is getting the Barrel off for lining. I have done quite a few relines..Some were really hard to get separated.

Will keep everyone updated..Thanks

Pic

[TRAP55]

I'm surprised you found a liner long enough for that barrel. Looking forward to see your progress on this build!

[AR22]

You must have looked at liners before..I did not find one long enough..I tried hard though.

What I am going to do is put in a little shorter liner..All I could get was around 26 inch..Someone may have been able to make a custom one for huge bucks..But this way the liner will only be 45.00..

Then I will turn a False Muzzle in the lathe to fill the end, probably around a .180 smooth hole. Loctite it in with Green Loctite .Kinda like how they used to Counter Bore old Military Rifles with bad muzzles..Not ideal, but have to do what I need to

[TRAP55]

Sounds like the best solution. You could port that last section as a muzzle brake, to tame that heavy .17M2 recoil too.
Bert did an excellent write up on the Winder Muskets last year, thought you might be interested.

https://surplused.com/index.php/2020/05/15/the-model-1885-winder-muskets/

[AR22]

Thanks Trap

Yes it is the only reasonable idea I could find that would not break then Bank..

Thanks for the Link..Heres a pic of the Barrel and Receiver separated..Did that this morning..Liner and Drill should be here early next week. Have a Chamber Reamer on the way too..

[TRAP55]

Got a stock set lined up?

[AR22]

Yes I did Trap..It was pretty pricey though..Not much less than the barrelled action cost me. But it is 100% complete with all steel hardware included...But again, what do you do..

I may or may not have to mill out the forearm for the mainspring..My receiver has the long barrel mounted flat spring..Not the internal spring like later versions..

So this stock may or may not be relief cut for the long flat spring..Probably find out tomorrow when it gets here.......Supposed to be here tomorrow anyway..Thanks

[AR22]

My liner came today..It is actually a little longer than they said on the website..I will not be much over a Inch short..Thanks

[AR22]

Wood came..It is actually nicer in person than the photos..Had to do a very tiny bit of fitting..But it looks really nice.

Also have the barrel drilled ready for the 17 liner..Waiting on the Chamber reamer to arrive..

Thanks


Pic

[TRAP55]

I'm going to start tapping you for parts sources! One, I'm amazed you found an original stock set, two, it's in great condition! That already looks good, and when it's done, the cool factor of a .17M2 Winder, and no collector value loss.
This project is on par with the Winder that Toro restored, can't wait to see it done!

[AR22]

You will see it dome hopefully withing the next week or two..

No secret parts sources..Found the stock set from a guy in MO on Gunbroker..

He said he took off years ago as he did not like the stock length of pull..Got me there. I was just glad no one else bid on it or needed it that day I always seem to have atleast one in the competition. It is a beautiful set of wood..

Looks even better in person then the pic..All I did to it was a light swiping of some fine steel wool to smooth it up a little..Added some linseed oil.

[toro1]

Looking Great AR22! I can't wait to hear the range report.

[AR22]

Thanks

I will sure let you know how it shoots.

I am going to leave it in the high polished Bright for now..Like my old 1868 Springfield..They never put any finish on those either..Then I can decide later down the road on any professional refinishing..I hate cold blue, so that is NOT an option at all. If I cannot afford a store bought refinish..It will remain in the white..

[AR22]

Barrel liner is chambered and in the barrel and Rifle is back together..

I have only fired it for function so far, not so much for accurracy..When I went out I was more excited about just a function test, and look at the cases..All went great..I actually in my excitement, forgot to to put the Lyman 41 Receiver sight on..So I will get a better idea with that on as far as accuracy.

One step at a time I guess,LOL

I am going to Scope this for my old eyes..Kinda hate too,but with my eyes I really have no choice.. It is getting a Malcom repro 18 Inch 6X...They are a repro vintage period appearing Scope. But with modern internals.

I will post a pic of the Rifle, and the Scope that will go on it later today..

Toro are you the one that did yours that Trap was referencing..If so post a pic or two..I would like to see them..Thanks