Guns International #: 101570758

Category - Winchester Rifles - Antique Pump - Winchester Rifles - Model 1890

Category
Winchester Rifles - Antique Pump
Winchester Rifles - Model 1890

ULTRA RARE MODEL 1890 NICKEL TRIM WITH FACTORY 29" BARREL WITH "LOOPS UNDER MUZZLE" MADE 1898, LETTER

Description:
PERHAPS THE ABSOLUTE RAREST MODEL 1890 VARIATION IS THIS NICKEL TRIM .22 SHORT RIFLE WITH FACTORY 29" BARREL WITH "LOOPS UNDER MUZZLE" #58XXX, MADE 1898, WITH FACTORY LETTER! Standard barrel length for the Model 1890 was 24" and over 800,000 Model 90s were produced. According to the excellent detailed book, Winchester Slide Action Rifles, Volume I: Model 1890 & Model 1906, by Ned Schwing, only 57 rifles had  barrels longer than standard. 10 had 26" barrels and 47 had 29" barrels. He states, "All of these 29-inch barrel Model 90s were ordered by the same individual." He makes no mention of the "Loops under muzzle" as on this rifle and mentioned in the factory letter. In the Winchester Handbook by George Madis there is a photo of one of these 29 inchers, and it does NOT have the "Loops under muzzle." The Winchester letter dated March 21, 2016 states "Rifle, Caliber: S, Barrel length: 29 inches, Nickel trim, Loops under muzzle, Received in warehouse on July 18, 1898, shipped from warehouse on July 19, 1898." My guess is that since all of these were bought by one individual, they were probably for a shooting gallery. How many of these have the "Loops" is unknown, but since Schwing doesn't mention them and the photo in the Madis book doesn't show the Loop, perhaps only a few had it, or maybe this is the only one. I would also guess the Loop was for attaching a thin chain as often seen on shooting gallery guns to keep shooters from either removing the rifle or swinging it in an unsafe manner. I've never seen this notation in a Winchester letter before. The nickel receiver and butt plate show most still intact with only a little freckling mostly on the extreme edges of the butt  plate and on the left rear of the receiver that is minor. The only place were nickel is flaked or missing is on the upper and lower tangs- exactly where one's hand would position for firing. The butt stock is excellent showing only minor handling and tight wood to metal fit. The forend is excellent. The mag tube shows lightly aged blue and has the triangular "gallery loading cut-out" while the barrel shows some scattered freckling, some light dings on the bottom of the barrel toward the "Loop," good markings and may have had some old blue touch-up after light cleaning- typical of gallery guns often used and handled in the hot summer months. The takedown is tight, action is also tight, springs are strong and the safety notch is secure on the hammer. The bore is a little dark and frosty, but has strong rifling all the way through with none of the big spots of pitting usually encountered on these early .22s. I would think that of those original 47 29" barrel rifles, some or perhaps most, would have had their barrels cut and shortened at some time. Overall very attractive and VERY DIFFERENT! First of these I've seen. One of the true rarities of all Winchester rifles plus an 1898 antique to boot!

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .22 Short
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1890 SPECIAL ORDER
Serial Number: 58XXX
Barrel Length: 29" OCTAGON
Condition: FINE+