POTD: Before Arnold Was Back – Winchester 1887 Lever Action Shotgun
Sam.S 04.13.21
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a photo of a Winchester 1887 Lever Action Shotgun courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company (make sure to check them out!). This is not an unknown firearm in the world since pop culture has taken it and kind of ran with it. A big supporter of this shotgun was the movie Terminator 2 and more recently a whole slew of video games and even some TV shows. The Winchester 1887 is addicting because it is a repeating shotgun that still makes the person holding it feels like they are in a western. The noise as the action works is pure bliss. I myself even own a Chiappa reproduction of the Winchester 1887.
It may surprise you to know that this gun was short-lived (1887-1901). The reason being is mostly due to the introduction of quality pump or slide action shotguns that followed. John M Browning himself (who designed this shotgun) recommended against Winchester producing it after he sold them his design since it would soon be outdated and that he had his pump action in the works. This pump-action would be the 1893 and eventually the legendary 1897. A little more information on the pictured gun below:
“Manufactured in 1896. Single bead sight on the barrel with a 2 5/8 inch chamber and choke measuring modified. Standard “WRACO” monogram on the left side of the casehardened receiver and the lower tang is marked “329” under the stock that has “329” repeated on the butt. Single diamond, non-factory checkered, two-piece slab forend and non-factory checkered pistol grip stock with checkered iron buttplate and 13 inch length of pull.
-Rock Island Auction Company“
Lot 37: Winchester Model 1887 Lever Action Shotgun [Photograph found in Premier Firearms Auction #82, Rock Island Auction Company]. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/82/37/winchester-model-1887-lever-action-shotgun
