Winchester Model 1887 12GA 28″ Lever Action Shotgun Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
LSB# LSB260428DH015
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Model: 1887
Serial Number: 15628
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8″ chamber
Capacity: 5+2, two shot plug is installed.
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Shotgun
Markings: The serial number “15628” 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: 28″
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 stock has been refinished. The stock has been sanded to leave the metal proud at the wrist. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is iron staining at the wrist and around the buttplate. There is some minor cracking at the wrist. The forend has a repaired crack. Overall this stock is in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 6/10 for an antique.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its current finish. There is pitting that has been blued over. Some of the edges and stampings have been softened and blurred. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are 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 one of Winchester’s distinctive John Browning-designed lever-action shotgun patterns, the Model 1887 holds strong historical and mechanical interest, especially in antique configuration. This example has a 28″ cylinder-bore barrel, tubular magazine with a two-shot plug installed, walnut pistol-grip buttstock, two-piece forend, and checkered steel buttplate. The WRA monogram on the receiver and legible tang patent markings help preserve its Winchester identity despite later refinish work.
Condition is Fair overall as refinished. The shotgun retains about 50% of its current blue finish, with pitting that has been blued over and softened edges and markings from prior refinishing. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable, and the markings remain legible. The walnut stocks have also been refinished and sanded enough to leave the metal proud at the wrist. The wood shows scratches, compression dents, iron staining at the wrist and buttplate, minor wrist cracking, and a repaired crack in the forend, placing the stock in Fair condition. These alterations and repairs reduce collector originality, though the shotgun still retains strong antique Winchester character.
The bore is gray with scattered erosion and pitting, rating 6/10 in this writer’s opinion for an antique shotgun. Mechanically, the action functions correctly, the lever moves smoothly, and the trigger trips the hammer, though the shotgun has not been test fired. Given its age, refinished condition, bore wear, short 2 5/8″ chamber, and black powder-era design, inspection by a qualified gunsmith familiar with antique Winchester shotguns is advisable before any firing use. Overall, this is a historically appealing Winchester Model 1887 with functional mechanics and honest antique presence, best suited as a representative collector piece, restoration candidate, or carefully evaluated black powder-era shotgun rather than a high-condition original example. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF