Winchester Model 1887 12GA 24″ Lever Action Shotgun Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,226.00
LSB# LSB260428DH018
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Model: 1887
Serial Number: 12230
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8″ chamber
Capacity: 5+2
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Shotgun
Markings: The serial number “12230” 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.” The “WRAo” monogram logo is engraved on the left side of the receiver.
Barrel Length: 24″
Choke: Cylinder, 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 stocks have been refinished. There are scratches and moderate handling wear. There is some cracking on the left side of the wrist. There is some repair work around the upper tang. There is some light cracking around the buttplate. Overall this stock is in 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. There is a light ding a couple inches from the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 6/10 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 are light scratches throughout. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. Some of the screws have been replaced. The markings range from faint to legible. Overall this shotgun is in 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 an early antique lever-action shotgun, manufactured in 1888 and chambered for 12 gauge with a 2 5/8″ chamber. As a John Browning-designed Winchester lever-action shotgun, the Model 1887 has strong historical and collector interest, particularly in antique configuration. This example retains recognizable Winchester features, including the tubular magazine, lever action, checkered steel buttplate, lower tang Winchester patent markings, and the engraved “WRAo” monogram on the left side of the receiver. The 24″ barrel with fixed Cylinder choke gives it a shorter, handier profile than many longer-barreled sporting examples, though the barrel length and configuration should be evaluated carefully by a Winchester specialist if factory originality is important.
Condition is fair overall and reflects substantial age, use, and later work. The shotgun retains virtually none of its original blue finish, with most of the metal worn to brown patina with corrosion staining and scattered light scratches. The screw heads are tooled but remain serviceable, and the markings range from faint to legible, which is typical of a heavily carried and handled antique arm. The walnut stocks have been refinished, reducing originality, and show scratches, moderate handling wear, cracking on the left side of the wrist, repair work around the upper tang, and light cracking around the buttplate. These wood issues are significant because the wrist and tang areas are structurally important on a lever-action shotgun.
Mechanically, this Model 1887 is described as functioning correctly, with smooth lever movement and proper hammer release when the trigger is pulled. The bore is gray with scattered light erosion and pitting, rating 6/10 for an antique, which is serviceable in appearance but not especially strong. Because this shotgun has an early 2 5/8″ chamber, antique metallurgy, finish loss, and stock cracking near stress-bearing areas, it should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith before any firing is considered. Overall, this is a historically appealing early Winchester 1887 with functional mechanics and desirable antique status, but its refinished and cracked stock, finish loss, faint markings, and only moderate bore condition place it as a representative collector or display-grade example rather than a high-condition Winchester shotgun. Please see in your photos and good luck on your bids! MF