This is a very rare example of an early Winchester First Pattern model 1885 Winder Musket chambered in 22 LR, with a Special Order rear sight. It was manufactured late 1918 and was shipped out in early 1919, and the Winchester factory letter dated July 1981 verifies the exact configuration of this musket. It has the paneled side, coil-spring, high wall action. It has the Winchester all blued metal finish plain, straight grain walnut stock and a full-length forend with finger-grooves on the sides. The forend is fitted with the early two barrel bands with a musket type ram rod channel on the underside and comes with an original Winchester Musket ram rod. It is fitted with a standard round tapered Winder Musket barrel that is marked with the Winchester factory, two-line address and patent date, markings between the two barrel bands, with, "22. LONG R." stamped at the breech end. The barrel is fitted with an early pattern blade front sight with a "Hotchkiss" type adjustable musket rear sight. This special sight is also noted and verified in the Winchester factory letter as being a "Special Rear Sight". Similar examples are pictured and described in the book: "The Winchester Single-Shot" by John Campbell on pages 150-155.

Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish overall showing edge and high spot wear overall with thinning and wear on the upper rear edges of the receiver, sides of the barrel bands and rear end of the lower tang. The breech block, loading lever and buttplate all retain 50% of their fading, subdued case colors overall. The walnut stock and forend both are in fine condition overall with most of their original varnished finish with numerous light/minor handling marks and pressure dents on the sides. Mechanically excellent. A very fine example a scarce variation of Winchester Model 1885 musket.