Winchester 3rd Model 1890 Takedown .22 Short Pump Action Rifle, 1908 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1300
LSB#: 210807DA02
Make: Winchester
Model: 1890
Serial Number: 337056
Year of Manufacture: 1908
Caliber: .22 Short
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Pump-Action Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel sis marked “22 SHORT” at the rear and in front of the rear sight with “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PAT. JUNE 26. 88.DEC. 6. 92. NOV. 27. 06.”, “MOD. 1890.-“. The upper grip tang is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The underside of the receiver is marked “337056 / A”. The bottom tang has inspector mark “4” and “337056”.
Barrel Length: 20″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel with Winchester’s 1902 patent mark. The rear sight is a “V”-notch screwed to the rear of the barrel and screw-adjustable for elevation with Winchester’s 1901 patent marking. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (not included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a grooved slide handle, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The slide handle has minor handling wear with light tool marks at the left mounting screw. The buttstock has some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks on the right toward the rear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a few light scratches and some minor oxidation with more notable erosion at the heel and on the top tang. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is in scattered surface erosion on the barrel, more on the left than the right. There is infrequent scattered minor oxidation on the receiver. There are a few scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly, and locks up solidly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Ever since 1890 when Winchester brought out a slide-action rifle with that year’s model number, the Model 1890 pretty much ruled the roost for rimfire repeaters. This tubular-magazine rimfire was wildly popular in the U.S., not only in the myriad shooting galleries throughout the country but also with the young boys and men who loved to shoot and hunt small game. The Model 1890 was a John Browning design and the first successful repeating rimfire rifle. This example is in Very Good condition, and would be an excellent addition to any Winchester collection. The rifle has the desirable .22 Short chambering, retaining the great majority of its original finish, a good bore and strong mechanics. In addition to the chambering, this rifle has some neat features for collectors including patent-marked sights, and as an early 3rd model, it made after the addition of the 1906 patent to the barrel address, but just before Winchester began marking their rimfire guns with their “WP” proof mark. Good luck and happy bidding!