Make: Winchester

Model: 1890, 1st Model

Serial Number: 13784

Year of Manufacture: 1892

Caliber: .22 Short

Action Type: Pump Action Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle, Solid Frame

Markings: Correct standard markings. The right of the bottom tang is marked "R's" (Roger's Restoration)

Barrel Length: 24"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a vertical white aiming reference in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a grooved slide handle, straight grip, straight comb, and case-hardened steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have a few light nicks, most in the belly. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor scuffing and slight muting in the face. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition as restored Antique.

Type of Finish: Case Color & Blue

Finish Originality: Professionally Refinished by Roger's Restorations

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, there is infrequent stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This firearm retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly on the barrel. There are a few scattered minor marks. There is infrequent muting of the case color, most notable in the top tang and the top of the hammer spur. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition as restored Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory records letter which indicates that this rifle's serial number was applied December 20, 1892, assembled as a rifle chambered for .22 Short, received in warehouse December 20, 1892 and shipped December 21, 1892 on order number 12182.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1890 pump action rifle was designed by John Browning in the late 1880's, patented in 1888 and renamed the Model 90 in about 1919. Winchester had asked Browning to design the rifle as a replacement for the rimfire versions of the Model 1873, which had never achieved great popularity. It proved to be the most successful repeating Rimfire rifle for general all around shooting ever made by Winchester. For many years, the Model 1890, when chambered in .22 Short, was considered to be the standard for use in shooting galleries, hence its nickname of "Gallery Gun".

This early solid frame Winchester Model 1890 is chambered in 22 short and shows a near perfect restoration by Roger's Restorations. Truly an artist, Roger is known for restorations which do not make a rifle look as if it is brand-new, but rather to make the rifle appear as an extraordinarily high-condition original. He has been so successful at this that he began placing an unobtrusive marking on concealed surfaces of the guns he restores, to prevent unscrupulous characters from passing off his work as a genuine original Winchester, which it easily could! His abilities are on fine display on this 1890. The rifle is from an interesting period of production when the 1st Model solid frames were being made simultaneously with the new 2nd Model takedown. It will make a beautiful addition to any Winchester collection and should still prove to be a fun and classy plinker. Please see our photos and good luck!