Make: Winchester

Model: 1887

Serial Number: 9709

Year of Manufacture: 1888

Gauge: 12 Gauge

Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 28"

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the barrel. The top-front of the receiver is grooved for a sighting plane.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are smooth walnut with a round-bottom pistol grip, checkered steel butt plate and a two piece forearm. The stocks have fairly evenly scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is some weathering in the buttstock behind the grip. There are short, thin cracks at the rear of the top tang. There are no chips. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt plate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with scattered spots of solid erosion and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. There is scattered erosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 15% of its metal finish. Most remaining blue finish is on the magazine toward the front and on the barrel over the magazine. There is some other scattered finish. There is some strong case color on portions of the breech-block assembly that are concealed when the action is closed. Most other surfaces have gone to a light-moderate patina. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and spots of surface oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire 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 Model 1887 was one of the first successful repeating shotguns. Its lever-action design was chosen at the behest of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, best known at the time as manufacturers of lever-action rifles such as the Winchester Model 1873. Designer John Browning suggested that a pump-action would be much more appropriate for a repeating shotgun, but Winchester management’s position was that, at the time, the company was known as a “lever-action firearm company”, and felt that their new shotgun must also be a lever-action for reasons of brand recognition. Browning responded by designing a breech-loading, rolling block lever-action. The action on this shotgun is exceptional and the markings are all still clearly visible. The barrel has been cut to 28", but this will still make a neat addition to your Winchester or early repeating shotgun collection. Please see our photos and good luck!