Winchester Model 1893 ’93 32″ MOD 12 GA Pump Action Shotgun, 1895 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1578
LSB#: 210713ME03
Make: Winchester
Model: 1893
Serial Number: 13656
Year of Manufacture: 1895
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8″ Chamber, Black Powder Only
Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed 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.” and “12”. The side of the action bar is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1893”. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “13656”.
Barrel Length: 32″
Choke: Fixed Modified
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead 1/2″ from the muzzle. The top of the receiver at the front has a groove which serves as a sighting plane.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set with serrated forend, plain pistol grip stock and smooth steel buttplate. The forend has a crack at the bottom-rear and there are cracks around the front edge of the wrist. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a dished spot on the left of the comb. There is scattered thinning finish in the buttstock and some areas of pooled finish. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has has scattered wear and light erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with scattered light erosion and pitting.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The finish is mottled with scattered wear and minor oxidation throughout. There is some minor erosion, mostly in the receiver. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Model 1893 holds a distinguished place in the long line of firearms designed by John M. Browning for production by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Browning was working on a slide-action design when Winchester approached him to design a lever-action repeating shotgun to complement their lever-action rifles. While the introduction of their 1890 slide-action rifle caused a similar motivation to introduce a slide-action shotgun, Winchester also wanted to compete with the Spencer and Burgess slide action repeating shotguns. Their desire to compete in this market was so strong that Winchester actually bought out Burgess and discontinued production of their shotgun. The 1893 was a superior design to both of these shotguns, being comfortable to operate and more robust than the competition. However, the gun was designed specifically for use with black powder shotshells, and was not strong enough to handle the higher pressures of smokeless powder which was gaining popularity in the early 1890s. For this reason, Winchester asked Browning to re-design a gun which would be compatible with the new propellant, and the iconic Model 1897 was born. The 1893 is particularly rare as once the 1897 was introduced, they offered to exchange one of the new models for any dealer or owner who wished to trade in their 1893. The traded in shotguns were then destroyed, severely reducing the number of shotguns which remained of the original 35,000 produced. Between this destruction and the more than 125 years which have passed since the gun’s introduction, not many 1893s are left. This example is from the middle of production, serial 13656. Considering that a gun which was kept when the 1897 was offered as a replacement was probably serving well as a hunting shotgun for its owner, it has weathered the years well. For the serious Winchester collector, an 1893 is a must-have and difficult to obtains. This a nice opportunity for such collectors. Please see our pictures and good luck!