Winchester 1890's?

[Speedo2]

For some reason, I've got the bug for one of those little trombones. In fact, I just put one up on Speedo's perpetual layaway shelf at my local emporium; haven't agreed on price yet, but I found one (a 22S, third model, I believe) in pretty good shape and I just want it. The price on these things seems to be all over the place. Anyone out there have any words of wisodm of 'em? What to look for; what to stay away from; why some are $450 and others $2500 on GB; that sort of thing? Thanks -S2

 

[Wheelgunner840]

What exactly are you talking about? From the title, I thought you wer asking about lever action rifles. (1892,1894,etc.) Trombones? (Seriously, forgive my ignorance, I would really like to know what you are referring to.)

WG840

 

[dkees]

Me too!

 

[Racegunner]

No, he is talking about the actual 1890 pump gun, hence the trombone reference.
Google helped me figure it out.
http://winchester1890.com/1852.html

 

[bigolddave]

The Winchester Model 1890 was their first slide action rifle, a Browning design, that did not feed shorts, longs, and longrifles interchangeably. A less expensive version was the 1906, followed by the 62 and 62A. Think in terms of the shooting gallery rifles you remember from fairs and carnivals.

There are several slightly different versions of the 1890; the earliest I belive had a case hardened receiver. These are very difficult to find with any color left, and command a huge premium over the blued variety. Condition and originality are also very important, and a longrifle or short version is more desirable than a long. They were also made in .22WRF.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Ask DanM how he feels about these.

 

[pred]

Personally I have enough old .22s to are a Cub Scout troop,
I love my old .22s and always bring a couple out to the range.
Fun, Cheap and very accurate.
You may want to jump over here and brows and ask away!
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php
These are a great bunch of guys just like here!

Peter

 

[bmcgilvray]

I don't keep up with prices much these days but have a Winchester Model 1890 in .22 Long Rifle, a chambering that isn't common in the Model 1890 for some reason. This rifle dates from 1924 and was purchased from its original owner.

It is a very strong and reliable rifle, typical of Browning designs. Pleasing to operate, it is very accurate too. I shoot it quite often.

 

[jbouwens]

1890 pump?

I have one of those, mine is in 22 short and is the 2nd model. I restored mine to like new about a dozen years ago. I guess it was a 100 dollar rifle when I started, I put a new stock, forarm, and reblue. It cost me somewhere in the 300 dollar range to do it. I know a bunch of hardcore folks out there would say leave it alone, don't reblue, you messed up it's value, etc.; but I wanted to bring that rifle back from the dead. I payed 5 dollars for it in a garage sale in 1990 or so and it was in bad shape. I found a old time gunsmith that worked on them when they were only 50 years old

and he took on the job as a old time project for me and I am guessing for him too. It turned out great. He had to do some work on the timing and feeding and if you don't shuck the pump pretty hard it will not feed 100 percent but for a gun that was built in 1904 it is pretty good. If I had to buy another one, I would check the feed and extraction in the rifle. The reason for the price yoyo is the factor of originality, non-touched/altered, type of stock--some came in a deluxe checkered stock (premium money at the time), and the sights that were on it (some had factory peeps) , and of course caliber. I have seen a bunch in 22 short--I think that is most common, 22 long, pretty desirerable now, and 22 win rim fire (mag at the time). Check out the website http://twoponies.home.mindspring.com/ just turn down the sound.

That's her in the middle.

 

[Steave]

They are wonderful, wonderful rifles, but I am partial to Winchester pumps, the 1906, 61 and 62/62A, I just don't have a bad thing to say about them.

Most 1890's, 1906's as well, were used a lot and most show their age and use. Many of them have been refinished, major parts replaced, poor bores, etc and these will be at the bottom as far as price goes. Also, the LR version is much more desirable than the other calibers. Nice, clean, original unmolested 1890's will always command a premium.

I bought my first one about twenty years ago, a 1916 production WRF, the fellow I bought it from was about 80 and his father had purchased the gun new in Cheyenne, WY. It is original, about a 70% gun that shows its age, I'm sure that little rifle took care of plenty of ranch pests and put many a meal on the table. I have three 1890's now, a S, L and the WRF.

A friend of mine is slowly selling off his collection, he has a pretty nice, 80% or so, LR, the blue is turning to brown, but it's still a very nice gun, we haven't come together on price yet, but I hope to end up with it. He also has a short variant that is probably 98% bright blue on all parts except the receiver, there is a bit of flaking on the left side of the receiver, easily the best 1890 I have ever seen. He hasn't decide to part with it yet, but I told him I wanted it. About as close to perfect as one could ever find an original 1890.

They are great, great little rifles!

 

[feralmerril]

They are nice! Here is mine. At first I already thought mine was customised as mine has a pistol grip, checkering, fancy wood and a cheekpiece! Now I am not real sure. (there was a screw through the serial # in the pistol grip). It was in .22 WRF which is just a little shorter the .22 WMRF. Both have the same diamater bullet. My gunsmith friend claimed he had rechambered them before and were strong enough, so I did. Here it is.

 

[Speedo2]

Sorry for the confusion, fellas; and thanks for straightening things out guys. Nice looking pumps, there bmc, jb and merril. the one that I've set aside is a 22 short, 3rd model (takedown with the slotted receiver). The dealer has around 3 others, but they look like they were used hard & put away wet; most likely they were gallery guns although one of 'em does have a tang sight. My "set aside" is around 70% blue turning brown on both barrel (24" oct.) and tube; receiver is maybe 50% blue turning brown. Bore has strong rifling, but is dark. Wood is OK; not cracked, no holes or pins. Any recommendations on what to offer? Dealer isn't sure what they're worth. -S2

 

[opoefc]

I have a 62A, bought new in the early 30s, by my Dad, serial # 810, which has been a life long friend that has killed more game & varmints,including a Black bear, than I can remember. Great gun. A friend of mine in Colorado recently bought a Model 1890 at a small pawn shop, for very little money. It is in .22 Short caliber and the folks at Cody Museum tell him it's the only one made, a special order gun, with special features. He had it displayed at the last Colorado Gun Collectors show, 2 weeks ago, and was offered over $10K for it!

 

[reddogge]

Any 1890 with a good bore would be a plus as the early ones had corrosive ammo run through them so show bad bores. Here is one I paid $175 for in .22WRF to give you an example. Lots of exterior corrosion and brown patina but great original wood and all original parts, bad bore but it shoots OK. Compare mine to the one you are looking at and make your decision.

 

[feralmerril]

Here is a 61. Dad bought it in the 30s. 22LR and a octogon barrel. Dad was tall and put a block of wood on most his guns. I also had a couple 62s. They are all slick. Got a 63 too.

 

[n4zov]

Those were great little .22's, and an 1890 was the first rifle I ever fired. There were several later variations too, and the 1890 was standard equipment in most shooting galleries. The 1906 was basically the same gun but lower priced, and finally the Model 62A which lasted into the 1960's. When I as a kid, I had a 62A with a Lyman tang sight, and it shot great! The 62A had a much larger forend and generally was a little more refined.

http://www.winchestercollector.org/