Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice example of the world's first successful Pump / Slide action repeating shotgun, the Winchester Model 1893! Designed by the famed John Moses Browning during the late 19th century, it is arguably one of the most influential shotgun designs in history, with similar designs in production to this day. It was also the immediate predecessor to the Legendary Model 1897 Shotgun, which was very similar, but designed to work with the new "modern" smokeless powder developed in the 1890s. As with the Model 1887 Lever Action shotgun, later replaced with the smokeless powder compliant Model 1901, the Model 1893 had been designed using black powder loads, and was not able to withstand the higher pressures generated by smokeless powder.

After the introduction of the Model 1897, the Winchester Factory actually allowed customers to trade in their Model 1893 shotguns for new Model 1897 examples. Combined with the relatively short production run and the number of examples damaged due to using the wrong type of cartridge, this means that these are quite hard to find on the collector's market. This is the first example of this highly influential shotgun design that we have had!

This example is in the correct 12 gauge chambering (marked 12 over the chamber), and has the shorter 30 inch barrel with front brass bead sight. Serial number 16049 A denotes year of manufacture as 1895. The slide attached to the fore stock "pump" is marked WINCHESTER / MODEL 1893, and there are W P Proof marks on the barrel and receiver. The top of the barrel still has the correct Winchester markings fully intact and easily legible:

Original walnut stocks are in good solid condition with the classic dark red brown color of aged oiled walnut, and have a lovely glow. The butt stock is in great shape, with a carved in pistol grip, and has a bit of past oxidation on the metal butt plate. The fore stock is also in great shape, with the grip grooves still crisp, and remnants of a varnished finish in areas.

The bore is clear and mostly bright, with some powder fouling and oxidation closer to the chamber end. The metalwork overall is faded to a lovely plum patina on the barrel, which was original blued. The magazine has more of the bluing intact in front of the fore stock, while behind it the finish is worn to gray. The action was originally case hardened, but now is worn to a gray patina, except for the bolt, which was blued and still retains a lot of this finish. The action is in fully functional condition and cycles well, with no mechanical issues to note.

Overall this is a great example of a revolutionary pump action shotgun design, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: 12 gauge
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with 2-5/8” Chamber
Overall Length: 48 Inches
Action type: Pump / Slide Action Repeater
Feed System: 5 + 1 magazine (5 in the tube, one in the chamber)

The Winchester Model 1897 and the Winchester Model 1893 were both designed by John Browning. The Model 1897 is an external hammer shotgun lacking a trigger disconnector. This means that the user can hold the trigger down while cycling the shotgun and once the action is returned to battery the shotgun fires. The firearm itself is classified as a slide action pump shotgun. It was the first truly successful pump-action shotgun produced. Throughout the time period the Model 1897 was in production, over a million of the type were produced in various grades and barrel lengths. 16-gauge guns had a standard barrel length of 28 inches, while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30-inch length barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 inches, and as long as 36 inches. Along with various grades and barrel lengths, the Model 1897 came in two different chamberings. One was the 12 gauge and the other was the 16 gauge. The shells should be of the 2+5⁄8 inch or 2+3⁄4 inch models. Any shells larger are not recommended. An average Model 1897 can hold 6 shotgun shells in the magazine tube. When working the action of the Model 1897 the forend (fore grip) is pulled back, forcing the breech bolt to the rear which extracts and then ejects the spent shell while simultaneously cocking the external hammer by pushing it to the rear. When the forend is slid forward again, the breech bolt pushes a fresh shell into the gun's chamber and locks into place.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.