Browning made the model and sent it to Winchester with a brief note stating, "You said it wouldn't work, but it seems to shoot pretty fair to me." And work well it did, for the Model 90 was one of Winchester's most popular models for many years to come. Winchester wrote back, strongly suggesting that Browning discontinue work on his design because Winchester engineers were convinced that the rifle could not possibly work. Because of a busy schedule, John Browning sent detailed drawings of the Model 90 instead. John Browning's usual practice was to send a working model to Winchester for its inspection and approval. Instead, it went like this:īrowning's design for the Model 90 was not well received by Winchester engineers. Winchester was usually pleased when Browning submitted a design but this time the story was different. At this point, circa 1888, Browning had already designed the Winchester 1885 Single Shot, the Model 1886 lever action rifle, and the Model 1887 lever action shotgun. Browning in my opinion was probably the greatest gun designer who ever lived and the Model 1890 was only around the tenth year of his amazing forty-plus year career. 22 pump action Lightning rifle in 1887 and Winchester turned to its new secret weapon, John Browning of Ogden, Utah to help even up the score. History: the original concept for the 1890 was probably born out of competition. 6, 1892 added to their upper tangs to cover the patent for the new frame design with the takedown screw mechanism. Note that there is only one patent date for the first model 1890.2nd models will have Dec. Upper tang on this rifle has the early style markings which read (see photo): Later in 1892, a new frame design was introduced with a single takedown with offset head located on the left side of the receiver.a.k.a. The main identifying feature of the first model is that the receivers on the early 1890's had their halves secured by two steel pins located just above the trigger housing. The first 15,500 Model 1890's are known as 1st Models. Standard 24-3/8" octagon barrel, case colored frame, early block sights, and crescent buttplate. In fact, according the book, Winchester Slide-Action Rifles Volume 1, by Ned Schwing, only 19.4% of 1st Model 1890 production were in. 22 Long Rimfire as most of the early 1890's we encounter are often in.
#Winchester model 1890 serial numbers by year serial number#
Antique pre-1898 serial number is in the 10,000 range which dates its production to the early months of 1892. This is an exceptionally fine example of an early First Model 1890 Pump Action.