Antique & Rare Winchester Model 1893 12 Ga Shotgun

SOLD FOR: $1,375.00
Make: Winchester
Model: Model 1893
Serial Number: B 24644
Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: 12 Gauge 2 5/8” Black Powder Shells ONLY
Action Type: Slide (Pump) Action Tubular Magazine Shotgun
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. MODEL 1893. PAT. NOV. 25. 1890 & DEC. 6, 1892.” and “12”. The action bar on the forearm is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1893”. The underside of the receiver is marked “B / 24644”.
Barrel Length: 30”
Choke: Full
Sights / Optics: The shotgun is mounted with a brass bead front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The butt stock is a smooth walnut pistol grip style with smooth metal butt plate. There are no chips or cracks; however there are the expected marks and dings found on a field gun that is over 110 years old. The forearm has 17 grooves and three screws. The forearm does not have any chips or cracks but does have small compression marks throughout. The LOP measures 12 ¾” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt plate. The stocks rate in about Very Good, maybe even Fine overall condition for their age.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is has light scratches and there is a small ding on the top right side of the barrel about 5 ½” from the muzzle that can be felt on the exterior and seen on the interior. It appears that the forcing cone has been lengthened, perhaps to accommodate 2 ¾” star crimped shells. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 45% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows drift towards a brown patina, thinning or actual finish loss. The bottom of the trigger guard has some pinprick surface erosion. The screw heads run from sharp to slightly distressed. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Very Good to Fine condition for its age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this shotgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: From George Madis’ “The Winchester Book” page 523 “To serials near 31,000, all guns of this model had 2 5/8” inch chambers. Because of mechanical problems and the danger of higher pressures developed by smokeless loads in this blackpowder gun, Winchester quietly informed its dealers that they would trade a new model 97 of equal grade for any 93 returned. Returned models 93 were destroyed. This resulted in the loss of most models 93; they consequently are rarely seen today.” Although we believe the forcing cone has been lengthened to accept 2 ¾” star crimped shells, this shotgun should be examined and approved for use by a competent gunsmith, and only black powder loads should be fired in this shotgun. As a collector’s piece however, this is a great opportunity to own a Winchester that is seldom seen.