Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Model: 1887

Serial Number: The serial number has been stamped-over with a grid pattern (see Our Assessment).

Year of Manufacture: 1889-1898, Antique

Caliber: 10 Gauge, Black Powder

Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Shotgun

Barrel Length: 30"

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Sights / Optics: The receiver has a shallow groove and the front sight is a brass blade screwed to the front of the barrel. The bead is worn or flattened, nearly flush with the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are walnut with a two-piece forend and one-piece buttstock with pistol grip and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, mostly in the buttstock. The buttstock shows sanding, mostly around the edges of the wrist and at the toe. There is a short crack at the toe on the right. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered oxidation and erosion with generally well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: No finish remains.

Finish Originality: There is no sign of a new finish being applied.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 0% of its metal finish. The metal surfaces have muted or worn to white. Areas are going to a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches as well as surface oxidation. There is scattered surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear or worn, but legible. The serial marking was intentionally obscured with a grid-pattern stamping. Overall, this shotgun is in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The hammer will sometimes follow the breech block down when operated briskly. This may cause the gun to discharge and should be addressed before loading or firing. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun, it should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith prior to continued use. 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 designer, 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 10 gauge example was produced sometime between 1889 and 1898, but has had its serial marking obscured with a grid-pattern stamp. This is very similar to other observed examples of what collectors call "price pirate" guns, though those would typically have "WRACO" stamped over the grid pattern. Author James Madis in "The Winchester Book" asserts that this was a short-lived practice performed by Winchester on firearms returned which had a removed or illegible serial marking between 1900 and 1903. Madis explains that some retailers were violating Winchester's pricing policy and when firearms were returned, their serial numbers would be removed to obscure where the guns were originally shipped. The bore shows use with black powder and the sear engagement will need to be addressed as the hammer will sometimes fall when the action is closed briskly. This is a genuine artifact of the American West and will make a fine addition to the collection of any Winchester collector or aficionados of the American West. Please see our photos and good luck!