I tried posting this on another forum but no one had any answers for me so I figured I'd try here.
My uncle recently bestowed upon me a Winchester Model 1890 in .22LR. So far I have determined it is a standard (not deluxe), case hardened (not blued), 2nd model (adjustable rear sights and takedown screw) with an octagon barrel.
Here is the kicker: apparently in August 1901, the case hardened receiver was changed to a blued version, meaning my gun would have to be from before August 1901, right? But then it gets more interesting: my five digit serial number (52xxx) indicates that it might have been manufactured around 1896-1897 (but online it says prior to some time in the early 1900s those dates weren't kept very accurately). But this rifle is chambered in .22LR. Guess what? They didn't have a .22LR barrel until 1919. What is going on with this gun? Does anyone have any insight? Was it popular for people to switch out to .22LR on their guns when it came out in 1919?
My uncle says he got this from his mother, who was given to her by her father to shoot rabbits and squirrels for meat on the table during the Depression. My uncle has no children and I never intend to sell this gun, it has officially become a family heirloom, regardless of value (unless of course it's a total fake but I highly doubt that).
I am going to try to call Winchester on Monday and talk to a historian. Until then, any historians here have any idea? I would say this gun is from Good to Excellent condition - it still shoots straight and all the parts work. The ONLY work might be to replace the spring in the magazine tube, it's a little weak but it still works.
My uncle recently bestowed upon me a Winchester Model 1890 in .22LR. So far I have determined it is a standard (not deluxe), case hardened (not blued), 2nd model (adjustable rear sights and takedown screw) with an octagon barrel.
Here is the kicker: apparently in August 1901, the case hardened receiver was changed to a blued version, meaning my gun would have to be from before August 1901, right? But then it gets more interesting: my five digit serial number (52xxx) indicates that it might have been manufactured around 1896-1897 (but online it says prior to some time in the early 1900s those dates weren't kept very accurately). But this rifle is chambered in .22LR. Guess what? They didn't have a .22LR barrel until 1919. What is going on with this gun? Does anyone have any insight? Was it popular for people to switch out to .22LR on their guns when it came out in 1919?
My uncle says he got this from his mother, who was given to her by her father to shoot rabbits and squirrels for meat on the table during the Depression. My uncle has no children and I never intend to sell this gun, it has officially become a family heirloom, regardless of value (unless of course it's a total fake but I highly doubt that).
I am going to try to call Winchester on Monday and talk to a historian. Until then, any historians here have any idea? I would say this gun is from Good to Excellent condition - it still shoots straight and all the parts work. The ONLY work might be to replace the spring in the magazine tube, it's a little weak but it still works.
