Old Winchester
I have one marked "Model 90" on the barrel. Seems to be an 1890 late version in my opinion. External hammer, breakdown, large pump grip, round barrel, .22WRF..Ser number 5449xx. My brother doesn't think it's an 1890 because of the round barrel. He says they were all octagons. No indication the barrel has been replaced, and it does have the "W" in a circle near the receiver, but I can't rule it out. Also, I've never heard of a "mod 90." Who wins, him or me?
There are no bad guns, only bad people.
There are no bad guns, only bad people.
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Hello old gunner: I have some info: Appears to be made in 1915. The Md 90 was made 1890 to 1932. There were some made after 32 but s/n's are scetchy. After s/n 15499, they were all made as a "take down" version. My book says the Md90 came with an octagon barrel. Typically the "Proof Mark is an oval with a P/W, since tours only has a W, the barrel may have been replaced at the factory. Since it has a large forearm, this to may have been replaced at the factory, because the originals were small, with 12 little grooves. The 90 and the modernized version, 62 were very simalar. sounds like you may have some parts from both. Sounds like you both win! The 62 had a round barrel. Hope this helps. Yes they could have marked the Md 62 barrel Model 90 when they did the work. I'm not sure when they dropped the Md 1890 and went to Md 90, if the barrel is stamped "Winchester Proof Steel" it's been replaced, the original barrel would have had "Nickel Steel" stamped on it. Regards Dave 0 -
Hello oldgunner...
To add just a bit more to what Dave has said, the switch from "MODEL 1890" to "MOD 90" occurred in late 1917. The regular production Model 1890/90s were made with 24" octagon barrels only. I have to disagree with Dave in that the early barrels on the 22 caliber rifles were never marked "NICKEL STEEL", or that the later barrels were marked "PROOF STEEL"... those two markings were for smokeless powder centerfire and shotgun barrels only, never 22 rimfire rifles.
An important thing to know/understand, is that Winchester assembled many thousands of Model 90 and 06s from remaining parts on hand, from 1932 (when regular production ceased) to the early part of WW II (circa 1942).
Towards the latter part of the parts clean up, Winchester began mixing parts that were interchangeable between the Models 90 and 06 to assemble the remaining rifles, and it has been postulated by some, that some Model 62 parts may have been used to complete the remaining few rifles. I have personally seen several late Model 90s with round barrels. The key to determining which Model the barrel may have come from, is its length.
As for your rifle (with an earlier serial number), it was most likely rebarreled at some point. As Dave pointed out, it should have a superposed "WP" in an oval stamped on the barrel and frame, or it should have a "P" in an oval on the barrel... never just a "W" by itself.
I don't know if I settled the bet with your brother or not, but hopefully this will answer your question(s).
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
oldgunner,
Your rifle's receiver was produced in March 1914. It was definitely an 1890 model at that time. On March 12,1919, Winchester authorized the model change to Model 90. Round barreled model 90s will be 23"s long, the same as the early 62s. It is the same as the 62, except for the model 90 roll markings. The model 62 was introduced in 1932, any round barreled 90s built before that (as your's was)have had the barrel replaced at the factory. So you and your brother are both kind of right. The rifle is an 1890, with a model 90 roll marked replacement barrel. I have seen original round barrel model 90s that also have later styled hammer checkering and other model 62 parts.
Parts cleanup rifles can be very interesting to authenticate. Plus the fact that Winchester would go to nearly any lengths in those days to offer any modifications you might want. Finish,barrel lengths, engraving, custom wood etc.
Another small fact is when Winchester made the change to model 90 they just ground out the 18 on their roll dies which left a space between model and 90 (mod 90) later when they replaced their dies it was changed to (mod90) The 1906 rifles were changed to 06s on the same dates.
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Whenever I see a cow eat grass, I am reminded that "This too shall pass."............ Baxter Black0 -
Wow guys, thanks! Lots more info than I expected. oh, on the proof mark, my mistake due to my bad eyes. It DOES have both a P and W. There are no markings about the type of steel, and as wundudnee suggested, the barrel IS 23" long. "Model" in Model 90 is complete, not abbreviated, so it seems to have been stamped just that way. The wood has been refinished, so no particular value anyway, but I'm very pleased. It gonna look just fine sitting beside my Model 63 .22 from 1941 and my engraved model 12 20 ga, made in 1935. My brother and I will just split the Corona six pack that I would have won. Thanks again..
There are no bad guns, only bad people.0
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