Bert H. did I assume right? 1890 Winchester
Perhaps Bert H. or someone else can help me here. I just purchased a Winchester 1890 in 22 WRF. This is the 5th 1890 I have owned so while I am not completely ignorant about them, I do have a couple of questions.
The current one is a 2nd model, serial number 56721. The front of the receiver does not say WRF, but it has a circle within a circle stamp, the side of the upper tang has the same stamp, with the letters WRF after it. Ned Schwings book says you will find the WRF marks on either the tang or the front of the receiver. I have to admit all the ones I saw before all said WRF in front. Is Schwing correct here?
Also according to Schwing, the receiver was manufactured in early 1898, he states proof marks were not used by winchester until 1908. Well, both the barrel and receiver have the "WP" in an oval proof mark. In addition, the barrel markings are for a 1919-1930ish date of manufacture barrel (serial numbers 640000-740000). So.....can I assume my gun was made around 1898, then returned back to the factory in the 1920's era where Winchester installed a new barrel and then applied the proof marks?
Have not shot this yet..it is all disassembled where I am going over each part and repairing what needs to be repaired...bought it for a winter project. Bore is pitted but rifling is there and I have seen worse. Chamber looks okay. Front sight was missing but I have a spare on hand, rear sight was the Model 1894 32 WS sight. That is okay too since I put tang sights on my 1890's (they look so cool on these old guns). Still, did Winchester ever put this 32 WS sight on an 1890? I bought one 1890 once (since sold) that came with the Model 1903 rear sight, figured it was a replacement until I saw page 127 of Schwings book where he shows a picture of a 1903 sight on an 1890.
Have another 1890 in 22 WRF and it is in great shape and a tack driver thus have lots of WRF ammo on hand. Anyway, all help would be appreciated. Thanks to all in advance.
The current one is a 2nd model, serial number 56721. The front of the receiver does not say WRF, but it has a circle within a circle stamp, the side of the upper tang has the same stamp, with the letters WRF after it. Ned Schwings book says you will find the WRF marks on either the tang or the front of the receiver. I have to admit all the ones I saw before all said WRF in front. Is Schwing correct here?
Also according to Schwing, the receiver was manufactured in early 1898, he states proof marks were not used by winchester until 1908. Well, both the barrel and receiver have the "WP" in an oval proof mark. In addition, the barrel markings are for a 1919-1930ish date of manufacture barrel (serial numbers 640000-740000). So.....can I assume my gun was made around 1898, then returned back to the factory in the 1920's era where Winchester installed a new barrel and then applied the proof marks?
Have not shot this yet..it is all disassembled where I am going over each part and repairing what needs to be repaired...bought it for a winter project. Bore is pitted but rifling is there and I have seen worse. Chamber looks okay. Front sight was missing but I have a spare on hand, rear sight was the Model 1894 32 WS sight. That is okay too since I put tang sights on my 1890's (they look so cool on these old guns). Still, did Winchester ever put this 32 WS sight on an 1890? I bought one 1890 once (since sold) that came with the Model 1903 rear sight, figured it was a replacement until I saw page 127 of Schwings book where he shows a picture of a 1903 sight on an 1890.
Have another 1890 in 22 WRF and it is in great shape and a tack driver thus have lots of WRF ammo on hand. Anyway, all help would be appreciated. Thanks to all in advance.
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Model 1890 serial number 56721 was serialized on February 15th, 1898.
Schwing is correct concerning the where the early WRFs were marked. I have seen several that were marked on the tang versus the front face of ther receiver.
Proof marks were not used until circa 1908. I suspect that your rifle was returned to the factory many years after the fact and rebarreled. You can determine if that is the case by contacting the Cody Firearms Musuem and obtaining a factory letter or research sheet.
Winchecter would not have installed a Model 1894 32 WS Smokeless sight on a Model 1890.0 -
Thanks Bert! I belonged to the Winchester Cody Museum a few years ago, my membership lapsed and I didnt renew as my job was in jeopardy. Things look better now and I plan on rejoining soon... I'll see how this shoots once it is rebuilt and may letter it then. Thanks again for your help and for all you bring to this forum. 0
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