Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice example of the world's first successful Pump / Slide action repeating shotgun, the Winchester Model 1893! 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. 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. This is only the third example of this highly influential shotgun design that we have ever had!

The shotgun is in the correct 12 gauge chambering (marked 12 over the chamber), and has the standard 30 inch barrel. Serial number is 18987 A, which per Winchester polishing room records denotes year of manufacture as 1895, which ran from serial 16986 to 24109. The slide attached to the fore stock "pump" is marked WINCHESTER / MODEL 1893, and the top of the barrel still has the correct Winchester markings fully intact:-

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 has a bit of past oxidation on the metal butt plate. The fore stock is also in great shape, with the grip grooves still crisp, showing just a few missing chunks. All three of the retaining screws are still present.

The bore is clear and partly bright, with past powder fouling and oxidation present in areas. It looks to have seen a good amount of use while in service. The metalwork overall is faded to a lovely plum patina on the barrel, which was original blued. The magazine has more of the bluing intact in front of the fore stock, while behind it the finish is worn to plum. When cycling the gun we can see that the under the pump / slide most of the finish is missing. The action was originally case hardened, but now is worn to mottled blue brown patina in most areas, except on the carrier, which still retains a good amount of the original bluing. The action works well, though we have no way to check to see if it still feeds well. We did notice that hammer very often does not end up fully cocked after cycling, and needs to be pulled back manually.

Overall this is a great example of a revolutionary pump action shotgun design, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: 12 gauge
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with 2-5/8” Chamber
Overall Length: 47 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.