Make: Winchester

Model: 1887

Serial Number: 14322

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1888

Gauge: 12 Gauge

Action Type: Lever Action Shotgun

Barrel Length: 32"

Choke: Fixed Full

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the muzzle. The rear sight is a shallow groove on the top-front of the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are smooth walnut with two-piece forend panels, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered surface oxidation and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original, some worn areas treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has some wear around patches of surface erosion, showing signs of cleaning and treatment with cold blue. There is scratching on the bottom of the barrel in front of the magazine lug. There is light handling wear on the bottom of the magazine tube. The receiver shows some cleaning and muting, mostly toward the rear, with stronger color at the front. There is a small cluster of nicks on the top-left edge of the receiver. The breechblock/lever assembly has generally strong color. There is infrequent surface oxidation with some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1887 was the first truly successful repeating shotgun. Its unique lever-action design was chosen by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and designed by the legendary firearms inventor, John Moses Browning to complement their popular lever-action rifles. The whole firearm itself is a remarkable engineering accomplishment. Originally chambered in 12 gauge only, 10 gauge was added in 1889. This 12 gauge example was produced in 1888, quite early in production. Early features include the single screw securing the forend panels and pillar-style magazine lug which would later be replaced with a bracket. This example shows quite light wear for its age, retaining strong mechanics and a good majority of its original metal finish. This will make a great addition to the collection of any Winchester or antique firearms collector, or aficionados of the American West. Please see our photos and good luck!