Original Items: Only One Pair Available. Here we have an exceptionally collectible sequential serial number pair of the world's first successful Pump / Slide action repeating shotgun, the Winchester Model 1893, both with 32" long barrels. They are factory-lettered to the same order, representing a unique collector opportunity that is very unlikely to ever be repeated. It is hard to understate the rarity of this set, as well as the importance in the evolution of the pump action shotgun. Even Bert Hartman, Historian and Board Member of the Winchester Arms Collector Association, has this as the only documented pair like this encountered in his research survey, as indicated in a copy of an email we received with the pair:

No, I have not. That is the first consecutive serial numbered pair documented in my research survey. The fact that both guns are identical and were on the same order number adds a "really cool" factor to them. Digging through the records, there was a third gun in that same order #, S/N 1750. Unfortunately, it was returned to Winchester in December 1904 and exchanged for Model 1897 S/N 148575. You now have the (2) remaining survivors of Order # 23888

Regards,
Bert Hartman
WACA Historian & Board Of Directors
Winchester Collector

Designed by the famed John Moses Browning during the late 19th century, it is arguably one of the most influential shotgun designs in history, with similar designs in production to this day. It was also the immediate predecessor to the Legendary Model 1897 Shotgun, which was very similar, but designed to work with the new "modern" smokeless powder developed in the 1890s. As with the Model 1887 Lever Action shotgun, later replaced with the smokeless powder compliant Model 1901, the Model 1893 had been designed using black powder loads, and was not able to withstand the higher pressures generated by smokeless powder.

After the introduction of the Model 1897, the Winchester Factory actually allowed customers to trade in their Model 1893 shotguns for new Model 1897 examples, such as with serial 1750, the "brother" to these guns. Combined with the relatively short production run and the number of examples damaged due to using the wrong type of cartridge, this means that these are quite hard to find on the collector's market. We have only had a few examples of these previously, and this pair is definitely unique.

The shotguns are both in the correct 12 gauge chambering (marked 12 over the chamber), and have special order 32 inch barrels. Serial numbers are 1747 ;and 1748, which per Winchester polishing room records denotes year of manufacture as 1893, which ran from the start up to 7958. The slides attached to the fore stock "pump" are marked WINCHESTER / MODEL 1893, and the top of the barrels still have the correct Winchester markings fully intact:-

These shotguns came with original factory letters from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West at the Cody Firearms Museum, which now houses the original Winchester factory records. They are printed on watermarked WINCHESTER REPEATING Fire Arms letterhead, with the letter for 1747 dated February 23, 2022 and that for 1748 dated February 07, 2023. They give the type of arm as a Shotgun, with Gauge of 12, and a barrel length of 32 inches. The letter also indicates that they were received in the warehouse September 05, 1893, and were both shipped on September 06, 1893 as part of order 23888. The letters are signed by records specialist Jessica A. Bennett and still bear the correct raised seals.

Both guns have walnut stocks that are in good solid condition with the classic dark red brown color of aged oiled walnut, and have a lovely glow. They show wear commensurate with age and service, showing dents, dings, cracks, and other signs of use. We did note that the butt stock on serial 1748 is about 3/4" shorter than that of 1747, a discrepancy that we cannot explain. The stock on 1747 is also a bit loose. The metalwork on both has had much of the original bluing wear away, except on the more protected areas such as the magazine tube and internal components.

We checked the functionality of both, and they function as expected, with no deficiencies to note, except that 1748 can sometimes be stiff and fail to fully cock the hammer. They display a tight action with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to confirm their ability to load or eject any type of round. Both have clear bores, with 1748 showing some past oxidation and fouling, while 1747 shows a smooth shiny bore, however the barrel has a bend to it just forward of where the magazine attaches.

This sequentially numbered pair of Winchester Model 1893 shotguns is documented by factory letters as having the same 12-gauge chambering, special-order 32-inch barrels, and shipment together under Order No. 23888 on September 6, 1893. Serial Nos. 1747 and 1748 are the two known surviving guns from that three-gun order, giving the pair a particularly strong factory-record association. Both retain their original model and barrel markings, aged walnut stocks, and substantial portions of their early configuration, although finish loss, dents, cracks, and other signs of use are present. Serial No. 1747 has a slightly loose stock, a bright bore, and a bend in the barrel forward of the magazine attachment, while Serial No. 1748 has a buttstock approximately ¾ inch shorter, some bore oxidation and fouling, and an action that can be stiff and occasionally fail to cock fully. Feeding and extraction were not tested. Despite these individual condition issues, the pair remains an unusually well-documented survival from the first year of Model 1893 production.

Specifications (Both):-

Year of Manufacture: 1893
Maker: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Model: 1893 Shotgun
Caliber: 12 gauge
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Specifications (Serial No. 1747):-

Barrel Length: 32 Inches with 2-5/8” Chamber
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Pump / Slide Action Repeater
Feed System: 5 + 1 magazine (5 in the tube, one in the chamber)

Specifications (Serial No. 1748):-

Barrel Length: 32 Inches with 2-5/8” Chamber
Overall Length: 50 1/4 Inches
Action type: Pump / Slide Action Repeater
Feed System: 5 + 1 magazine (5 in the tube, one in the chamber)

The Winchester Model 1897 and the Winchester Model 1893 were both designed by John Browning. The Model 1897 is an external hammer shotgun lacking a trigger disconnector. This means that the user can hold the trigger down while cycling the shotgun and once the action is returned to battery the shotgun fires. The firearm itself is classified as a slide action pump shotgun. It was the first truly successful pump-action shotgun produced. Throughout the time period the Model 1897 was in production, over a million of the type were produced in various grades and barrel lengths. 16-gauge guns had a standard barrel length of 28 inches, while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30-inch length barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 inches, and as long as 36 inches. Along with various grades and barrel lengths, the Model 1897 came in two different chamberings. One was the 12 gauge and the other was the 16 gauge. The shells should be of the 2+5⁄8 inch or 2+3⁄4 inch models. Any shells larger are not recommended. An average Model 1897 can hold 6 shotgun shells in the magazine tube. When working the action of the Model 1897 the forend (fore grip) is pulled back, forcing the breech bolt to the rear which extracts and then ejects the spent shell while simultaneously cocking the external hammer by pushing it to the rear. When the forend is slid forward again, the breech bolt pushes a fresh shell into the gun's chamber and locks into place.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.