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Winchester Mdl 1890 ?s

Mark TMark T Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
edited October 2007 in Ask the Experts
Got a Win, mdl 1890 22 short, nickel plated. Octagon barrel,ser#1333798. Any info, date of Mfg, approx worth etc...

Comments

  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The serial number you posted is too high. Winchester manufactured something less than 850,000 of them. I will assume that it is 133798, and if so, it was manufactured in late March, 1902.

    As for the value, there is no way to estimate that without seeing the rifle (or a series of clear photos). The first thing that must be determined is the factory originality of the nickel plating. I highly suggest that you conatact the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) and purchase a factory letter (see the Sticky "Serial Number References" at the top of the forum for the link to the CFM). The grade condition is very important in determining the potential collector value.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • Mark TMark T Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Bert, I added an extra 3. The condition is so-so. The forearm is cracked. What is the price range from poor to good?
  • agostinoagostino Member Posts: 414 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you mean the receiver is nickle-plated, I've read this was done for various hardware store customers of Winchester. Ask Bert.
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mark T
    Thanks Bert, I added an extra 3. The condition is so-so. The forearm is cracked. What is the price range from poor to good?


    That is tough to estimate. Your Model 1890 is a Second Model, and it is on the borderline for when Winchester stopped case color hardening the frame. Are you sure that the frame is nickel-plated, or is it possibly faded (silvered) case color? It will make a substantial difference on the value.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • Mark TMark T Member Posts: 140 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bert, It is for sure nickel plated. The entire gun is. I wouldn't call it much more than just good condition.
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mark T
    Bert, It is for sure nickel plated. The entire gun is. I wouldn't call it much more than just good condition.


    I am going to assume that it was not factory nickel-plated. Based on that assumption, and on your description of the condition, it is a worth a maximum of $250 (as a parts gun).

    WACA Historian & Life Member

  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,460 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mark - I do not have my reference material in front of me, but I believe this rifle serial is low enough to get a factory letter from Cody. If this letters as full nickel, the value goes up substantially... also, special order guns often have additional special features. Does this rifle have a pistol grip style stock, or checkering?? Can you see "pitting" under the nickel finish?? Or is the stamped lettering very faint in places?? Nickel Shorts were often used by shooting galleries. Does the magazine tube have a "V" notch for loading with a gallery tube? Are there any weird scratched in or stamped marks that a gallery would have used to identify a rifle?? True Gallery guns typically show a lot of abuse and wear, but are, in my opinion, gems.

    Hope I can help,
    Greg
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