Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Winchester Model 1887 lever action repeating shotgun, serial number 3421, chambered in 12 gauge and fitted with an unusual 32" barrel. Designed by John M. Browning, the Model 1887 was one of the earliest successful repeating shotguns and remains immediately recognizable for its large operating lever, exposed hammer, tubular magazine, and substantial receiver. This example has an attractive plum brown patina, very good walnut stocks, visible remnants of original blue finish, and a fully cycling action.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Model 1887 was developed by John M. Browning during the late 19th century as Winchester sought to apply its successful lever action concept to a repeating shotgun. Its large operating lever lowers the breechblock, ejects the chambered shell, raises a fresh round from the carrier, and closes the action in one sweeping motion. Although later slide action designs eventually became more popular, the Model 1887 established an important place in the history of repeating shotguns.

This example is chambered in 12 gauge and fitted with a 32" barrel rather than the more commonly encountered 30" configuration. There is no visible gauge marking on the barrel, but the muzzle measures approximately .720", consistent with 12 gauge.

The barrel carries an oval:

W P

marking. The supplied research associates this mark with special order work or factory modification before Winchester adopted its later interlocking WP proof. A factory letter would be required to determine conclusively whether the 32" barrel was original to the shotgun when first shipped or was subsequently installed or altered by Winchester.

The barrel retains its brass bead front sight, while the rear sighting reference is the groove formed along the top of the receiver.

The serial number is stamped on the underside front of the receiver:

3421

The left side of the receiver carries the overlapping:

W R A Co

monogram.

The lower receiver tang remains clearly marked:

MANUFACTURED BY THE
WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.
🡒 NEW HAVEN. CONN. U. S. A. 🡐
PAT. FEB. 16 & JULY 20. 1886.

The original walnut stocks remain in very good condition and have developed the deep red brown color associated with aged and oiled walnut. They appear to have been varnished at some point in the past, and much of that finish remains intact. The buttstock has a carved pistol grip profile and is fitted with a factory checkered metal buttplate.

Both the buttstock and fore stock show expected scratches, dents, and handling marks from use, but no major cracks or other significant structural damage are visible.

The metalwork has matured to an attractive plum brown patina with scattered remnants of original blue finish surviving on the barrel and receiver. The surfaces show evidence of repeated light polishing over the years but no signs of aggressive modern cleaning. The present finish has been left largely undisturbed.

The action cycles correctly in its present condition and the hammer and trigger operate with a crisp release. The bore is unobstructed and shows evidence of earlier fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned, leaving a clearly used black powder bore.

With its low serial number 3421, 12 gauge chambering, unusual 32" barrel, overlapping W R A Co receiver monogram, intact Winchester tang markings, attractive walnut stocks, aged plum brown patina, and functional lever action mechanism, this is a particularly appealing early Winchester Model 1887. The past varnish on the stocks, scattered dents and scratches, faded original blue, historical polishing, and bore fouling and oxidation are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a Winchester lever action, John M. Browning design, early repeating shotgun, Western sporting arms, or advanced antique American firearms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1887
Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company
Model: 1887
Serial Number: 3421
Caliber: 12 gauge
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 48 7/8 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 5 + 2 magazine (5 in the tube, one in the chamber, one in the carrier)
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

The Winchester Model 1887 (Dellosso Shotgun) is a lever-action shotgun originally designed by famed American gun designer John Browning and produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company during the late 19th century. It was a black-powder design, and was replaced by the similar Model 1901, which was designed to handle smokeless powder, but was otherwise identical.

The Model 1887 was one of the first successful repeating shotguns. Its lever-action design was chosen at the behest of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, best known at the time as manufacturers of lever-action rifles such as the Winchester Model 1873. Designer John Browning suggested that a pump-action would be much more appropriate for a repeating shotgun, but Winchester management's position was that, at the time, the company was known as a "lever-action firearm company", and felt that their new shotgun must also be a lever-action for reasons of brand recognition. Browning responded by designing a breech-loading, rolling block lever-action. To Winchester's credit, however, they later introduced a Browning designed pump-action shotgun known as the Model 1893 (an early production version of the model 1897), after the introduction of smokeless powder.

Shotgun shells at the time used black powder as a propellant, and so the Model 1887 shotgun was designed and chambered for less powerful black powder shotshells. Both 10 and 12-gauge models were offered in the Model 1887; 12-gauge variants used a 2 5/8" shell, 10-gauge variants fired a 2 7/8" shell. The standard barrel length was 30" with 32" available as a special order. In 1888 a 20" barrelled version could be ordered and Winchester offered the shotguns with Damascus barrels.

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.