Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a interesting example of one of the world's first successful repeating shotguns, the Winchester Model 1887 Lever Action. Designed by the famed John Browning during the late 19th century, it was designed to capitalize on the "lever action" fame of Winchester at the time. While it was later replaced by pump action designs, it carved out a solid place in history.

This example is in the smaller and more desirable 12 gauge chambering, and looks to have had the barrel shortened to 21 inches, possibly for use as a "coaching gun" during the last days of the "Old West". It also looks to have had some crush and bending damage to the last 6 inches of the barrel, so it's possible that the rest of the barrel broke off somehow, and the shotgun was then repaired. There is a Oval W P proof on the left side by the receiver, so it is definitely a real Winchester barrel. The front sight was removed with the front of the barrel, while the rear sight is still present, as it is part of the receiver.

Serial number 10485 on the front underside of the receiver denotes year of manufacture as 1888, one of 13,422 made that year. The left side of the receiver is marked with the W R A Co overlapping monogram, and the left side of the barrel has the Oval WP proof mark, though the barrel gauge has worn away. The lower receiver tang still has the correct Winchester markings fully intact and easily legible:

Original walnut stocks are in good solid condition with the classic dark red brown color of aged oiled walnut, and have a lovely glow. The butt stock is in great shape, with a carved in pistol grip, and factory checkered metal butt plate. There are some scratches, dents, and gouges, but nothing out of line with long service. The fore stock is also in lovely shape, showing the expected wear, with no large chunks or slivers missing.

The bore is clear, but definitely shows some past pitting and oxidation on the walls. This is a shotgun that saw a good amount of use during its life, probably somewhere out on the Western Frontier. There is also clear deformation to the interior of the barrel over the last 6 inches.

The metalwork overall is faded to mottled patina on the barrel, which was original fully blued, and the magazine tube has lost the original finish. There is still some of the original bluing on the magazine tube. The action was originally case hardened, and some of that finish is still visible on the inside of the action, however the outside now shows a lightly stained patina. The action is in fully functional condition and cycles well, with a crisp dry fire.

Overall this is a lovely example of an iconic lever action shotgun, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: 12 gauge
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21 Inches
Overall Length: 37 3/4 Inches
Action type: Lever Action Repeater
Feed System: 5 + 2 magazine (5 in the tube, one in the chamber, one in the carrier)

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.