Winchester Model 1887 12GA 30″ Lever Action Shotgun Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,001.00
LSB# LSB260428DH011
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Model: 1887
Serial Number: 61932
Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8″ chamber
Capacity: 5+2
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Shotgun
Markings: The serial number “61932” is marked on the underside of the receiver; the lower tang is stamped, “MANUFACTURED BY THE / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.- / PAT. FEB. 16, & JULY 20, 1886. DEC.6.1892” The “WRAo” monogram logo is engraved on the left side of the receiver.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bead drilled and tapped into the front of the receiver. The rear sight is a shallow groove on the front of the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are walnut with a two-piece forend and one-piece buttstock with pistol grip and checkered steel buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has heavy handling wear. There are scratches, nicks, and gouges scattered throughout. There is a notable gouge on the front of the comb. There is cracking throughout the wrist and near the buttplate. There is missing wood on the right side of the forend. Overall this stock is in Poor to Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 7/10 for an antique.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains virtually none of its original finish. Most of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is notable pitting on the top of the barrel and action. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings range from faint to legible. Overall this shotgun is in Poor to Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, the lever moves smoothly, and the trigger trips the hammer. We have not test-fired this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Winchester Model 1887 is a desirable antique lever-action shotgun, manufactured in 1897 and chambered for 12 gauge with a 2 5/8″ chamber. As one of Winchester’s distinctive John Browning-designed lever-action shotguns, it has strong collector appeal, especially in antique status. This example retains its 30″ barrel with fixed Modified choke, tubular magazine configuration, checkered steel buttplate, and the correct Winchester tang patent markings. The engraved “WRAo” monogram on the left side of the receiver and legible serial number further support its identity, though some markings have weakened from age and surface wear.
Condition is the main limiting factor. The shotgun retains virtually none of its original blue finish, with most of the metal worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. Notable pitting is present on the top of the barrel and action, and the screw heads show tooling, though they remain serviceable. The walnut stocks show heavy handling wear, including scratches, nicks, gouges, a notable gouge at the front of the comb, cracking through the wrist and near the buttplate, and missing wood on the right side of the forend. These stock issues place the wood in Poor to Fair condition and significantly affect both presentation and collector value.
Mechanically, this Model 1887 is described as functioning correctly, with a smooth lever, proper hammer release, and an operational trigger system. The bore is a relative bright spot for an antique shotgun, described as gray with scattered light erosion and pitting, rating 7/10. Still, because of the shotgun’s age, short 2 5/8″ chamber, exterior pitting, and stock cracks, it should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith before any firing is considered, and only appropriate low-pressure ammunition should be evaluated for use. Overall, this is a historically appealing Winchester 1887 with desirable antique status and functional mechanics, but its poor-to-fair exterior condition, stock damage, finish loss, and pitting make it best suited as a representative collector or display piece rather than a high-grade example. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF