Winchester Pump is Mildly Strange

[stuckon308]

An older gentleman I know through a friend can no longer hunt and therefore he doesn't enjoy his guns. I'm helping him liquidate his collection and he had some that I'm not familiar with. Here is a Winchester 1890. From the serial number it was apparently built around 1898. The bluing is pretty decent. Probably 80-90%. The wood is in pretty good shape as well. Here is where it gets weird. The stock has a "repair" where on both sides it has small rectangular blocks that have be done on either side. They are a pretty decent match but obviously the grain pattern doesn't line up. It doesn't look like it wad done because of damage but I'm not sure. Next is a brass "button" inlaid in the stock that has T. Robinson engraved on it in old script style writing. Usually things like these detract value from a gun but I figured it might not hurt it if it's a modification done by a shooting gallery owner or something like that. What are your thoughts?

 

[Meroh]

An older gentleman I know through a friend can no longer hunt and therefore he doesn't enjoy his guns. I'm helping him liquidate his collection and he had some that I'm not familiar with. Here is a Winchester 1890. From the serial number it was apparently built around 1898. The bluing is pretty decent. Probably 80-90%. The wood is in pretty good shape as well. Here is where it gets weird. The stock has a "repair" where on both sides it has small rectangular blocks that have be done on either side. They are a pretty decent match but obviously the grain pattern doesn't line up. It doesn't look like it wad done because of damage but I'm not sure. Next is a brass "button" inlaid in the stock that has T. Robinson engraved on it in old script style writing. Usually things like these detract value from a gun but I figured it might not hurt it if it's a modification done by a shooting gallery owner or something like that. What are your thoughts?

I have one that is similar, but not quite so old; built around 1930-40; hard rubber straighter plate on the butt-stock; more groves in the fore-stock, and a round barrel. It had a crack in the but-stock that was repared, and the bluing is in great condition; about 90 %. Shoots good too, but some ammo feeds harder than others. I have no idea of the value, but I have seen some advertised for $1-2,000.

 

[kilowhiskeycharlie]

I am interested. In both you have pictured. What is the story on the lever action?

 

[stuckon308]

The top one has one of the best stories I've had a gun have. The guy worked for the railroad and was working in northern Manitoba about 50 years ago. He was playing poker in a bar with a bunch of locals. He won/bought the gun from the bar owner for the equivalent of $50 sight unseen. Apparently there had been drinking going on so when he went back to the bar the next day to pick up the gun the bar owner told him to pound sand. There was an argument and the owner punched him in the face. The next day he went back and the guy apologized and gave him the gun. The guy made note that he would sell it to me for exactly what it cost him minus the punch. He thought it was hilarious that the gun has always been sold for the same price. It's a Winchester 1894 built in 1913 (from what I can tell) with the saddle ring. Locks up beautifully. I Just took it out yesterday and it shot beautifully. Really cool gun.

 

[stuckon308]

I took the Winchester 1890 out yesterday as well. It was smooth as heck and only went to further my amazement of JM Browning. His designs continue to amaze me. The loading/ejection on it is genius. The fact that it's a takedown as well is just cool.

 

[Meroh]

I took the Winchester 1890 out yesterday as well. It was smooth as heck and only went to further my amazement of JM Browning. His designs continue to amaze me. The loading/ejection on it is genius. The fact that it's a takedown as well is just cool.

Mine is a bit fussy about cheap ammo; but it eats federal like candy! I agree with your assessment. Very accurate shooters too!