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Help with Winchester 1890 S/N date

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22 comments

  • ridgleyart

    I'm finding the year as 1920, couldn't find anything about an A under the serial, but did find this, "First, the "A" suffix on the end of the serial number does not have a "specific" meaning, nor does the "A" suffix on the end of the Model designation. In fact, and in both instances, the "A" indicates that some type of a design (mechanical) change was made to the original design, and that the assembly process and/or the parts needed to assemble the firearm were changed accordingly."

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  • Ricci.Wright

    Thank you Sir.

    3
  • Sam06

    Its old Ricci.

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  • TRAP55

    Made in late 1920.

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  • Ricci.Wright
    Sam06: 31549228553499/comments/31549201711003

    Its old Ricci.

    Ain't we all??

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  • Ricci.Wright
    TRAP55: 31549228553499/comments/31549212066203

    Made in late 1920.

    Thank you Sir!!

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  • Sam06

    I am getting there brother but I think you may be there now.😁

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  • TRAP55

    Ricci, Octagon barrel in .22LR? Fairly rare, post some pics!

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  • Ricci.Wright


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  • ridgleyart

    Looks good, wish I had never gotten rid of mine.

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  • wundudnee

    That is a very desirable and nice looking 1890. It took me quite awhile to find mine. I had all the other calibers the 1890s came in except the Long Rifle. That one should bring a good price.

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  • toad67

    IIRC, Winchester put the "A" on, if it was re barreled at the factory... I had quite a bit of dust to dig thru for that one, but I may be all messed up...

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  • kannoneer

    According to my book on Win. serial numbers, Model 1890 (or 90) serial numbers on the first day of the year were: 1924......668817

    1925.....678694

    I also googled it and got the same numbers.

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  • TRAP55
    kannoneer: 31549228553499/comments/31549269712027

    According to my book on Win. serial numbers, Model 1890 (or 90) serial numbers on the first day of the year were: 1924......668817

    1925.....678694

    I also googled it and got the same numbers.

    That's Madis information, it's way off on some models/years. Last serial number for 1920 was 678928, with 29,476 made that year.

    Toad, the "A" suffix on the serial number, just denotes a change in manufacturing. The first 15,000 were solid frames, and I "think" the "A" was for the take down.

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  • TRAP55

    Ricci, it'd been re-blued, but the "R." stamp looks more fresh than "LONG", any signs it's been re-lined, and re-stamped to go with it?

    It wouldn't be the first one like that, if it is. I've been looking for one for at least 20yrs, and the closest I've come is three that were .22 Long relined to .22LR. Gave up looking and found a .22Long cheap enough(came in a coffee can) to convert it myself. Don't let it worry you though, there won't be any lack of bids on it.

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  • Ricci.Wright

    Definite refinish. I thought the caliber marking odd as well. I will for a liner. Thank you.

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  • Sam06

    Wouldn't you just have to re-chamber it to 22LR?

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  • Ricci.Wright

    I guess. You could probably do that with a sharp pocket knife.

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  • bullshot

    that serial number rings 1924.

    Check out this site: http://oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm

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  • Grasshopper

    Well, yes, it has been blued imo, stocks maybe varnished also. The marking of LONG R has me stumped, I have had them but can't remember that type of marking. Course I don't know much as has been proven through the years.

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  • TRAP55
    Sam06: 31549228553499/comments/31549270155291

    Wouldn't you just have to re-chamber it to 22LR?

    Sam, you could, but it wouldn't shoot worth a damn. The barrel twist was the same for Short and Long, but too slow for Long Rifle. The 1890/90 was one chamber specific, Short, Long, and .22WRF. Shortly after the .22 Long Rifle was introduced, Winchester revamped the Model 90 into the Model 1906. Many 1906 rifles have Model 90 receivers from parts cleanup. The Model 90 exceeded the 1906 production by 7yrs, as both were in production at the same time, and with the updated 1906, the Model 62.

    The biggest change in the 1906 from the 90, was the cartridge lifter that would feed S,L, and LR, and the tighter barrel twist for the LR.

    One more time guys, and read carefully. The Winchester dates you find on the internet are not accurate! The ones you find in most books are not accurate, and until recently, even in the Blue Book of Gun Values. That information comes from Madis who only had incomplete records. The Winchester records were either lost or destroyed. What was left, is what Madis used, and what he didn't have, made best guess at.

    Bert H. and some other Cody Museum researchers, discovered the Polishing Room records on microfilm, buried in the Cody Museum basement. The Polishing Room is where, and when, the serial number was applied. The day it was applied is the "actual Date of Manufacture". A Cody letter will give that date, the date it was received in the warehouse, and the date it was shipped. Those three dates can range from a couple of days, to years apart. Some of the dates Madis used were "shipping dates", because it's all he had.

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  • wundudnee

    Here is the roll mark on my .22Long Rifle.


    This is one of each from the top WRF, Short, Long, Long Rifle.


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