Winchester 1893 Pre-Model 97 32″ IC 12 GA Pump Shotgun, MFD 1897 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 210228RI03
Make: Winchester
Model: 1893
Serial Number: 26265
Year of Manufacture: 1897
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. & DEC.6.1892.” and “12”. The side of the action bar is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1893”. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “B / 26265”. The left of the lifter is marked “PAT APPLIED FOR”.
Barrel Length: 32?
Choke: Fixed Improved Cylinder
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 secured by three screws, plain pistol grip stock and smooth steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is scattered dark discoloration. There are some short cracks around the rear edge of the buttstock. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a light patina with scattered light-moderate surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with scattered light erosion and pitting.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 15% of its metal finish. Strongest remaining finish is in the forward portion of the magazine tube with some finish at the rear of the tube, the bottom of the barrel above the magazine tube, and on some portions of the lifter and bolt. Most other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a mottled light patina. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches and tool marks at some pin and screw heads. There are tool marks on each side of the receiver at the rear, in line with the bolt rails. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The pin heads range from unmarred to tool marked. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Good-Very Good condition as 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 nearly 130 years which have passed since the gun’s introduction, not many 1893s are left. This example is a fairly late gun, serial 26265, which was made in 1897. Considering that a gun which was kept when the Model 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 obtain. This is a great opportunity for such collectors. Please see our pictures and good luck!