Model 1890 Winchester

A friend of mine brought this Winchester Model 1890 out to me to see if I could do anything with it. He thought it was a .22 LR. Turns out it is a .22 WRF. He had gotten it from his father in law some time or another who had bought it from his brother for $12 because it wouldn't shoot. I researched the serial number and this rifle was made in 1902. Somewhere along the line somebody had steel wooled the whole thing to remove surface rust I suppose so that is not good for original condition. I tore it down and found it was missing the action slide cover and the hammer spring screw, prohibiting the hammer operating. Someone had replaced the grip screws with some brass screws so those had to go also. I was able to track down original Winchester parts for the rifle, not reproductions, and also ordered some .22 WRF ammo directly from CCI. Hopefully I can resurrect this old shooter and save a nice piece of firearms history. I wish whoever steel wooled it down had left it alone but that happened long before my friend acquired it. Looking forward to pulling the trigger on this rifle and hearing it bark again.

There was a time when any restoration work on a firearm would reduce it's value. Now it seems firearms have become more like paintings where more professional restoration work can sometimes increase a firearms value.

I've seen firearms that looked new after being re-blued and the wood refinished by people who are extremely well versed in the craft.

Cool and hope to see pics of it put back together and working again. 1890s are some neat little rifles. The 22 WRF ammo has made a comeback and is a nice middle ground between 22lr and 22 Mag.

I have never owned a 1890 but have shot a few and like them about as much as I do my 62A

Texas Dan is correct, now refurbished older guns for someone is not a collector, they want to have new look on an old gun, puzzles me, but what ever floats your boat

Some of the Turnbull restorations look better than the guns ever did new.

Yeah, I think he mainly wants it to be complete and functional. If I can get it restored to operable condition, I think he will be satisfied. Whether it goes any farther to include rebluing the gun and refinishing the stock will be up to him. I offered to buy it from him and he turned me down but at least I get to be part of bringing it back to life.

Agreed. Still, going the extra mile to do some restoration work will definitely help protect both the metal and wood from any future neglect. IMO, firearms have also become like old tractors where making them look new has become a passion for those who feel as if they owe it to tractor or firearm.

Good luck with this project! Love this model and am currently looking for one in LR for myself.

If you do decide to do some restoration work, I would suggest giving it to a professional for any re-bluing work. I know a place in North Carolina that does some amazing work.

Is that a full octagon barrel or half moon?

I have an 1890 gallery model, traced the ser # to 1907. Picked it up at an estate sale in the mid '80s for $30.00.
Taught lots of kids how to shoot with it and put 1000s of rounds through it over the years.

TD. Yeah any cosmetic restoration decision would be his to make. I would suggest the same to him.
HD. Yes, it a full octagon barrel.

After many hours of searching, three different parts orders and a lot of patient attention to detail, the 120 year old Winchester Model 1890 22 WRF is spitting lead once again.

🤠

Congratulations!

Now if only that old rifle could talk.

Glad you got the old girl working and ammo manufactures decided to make more ammo for that one. Now she can be enjoyed again

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing this; somehow I'd missed it the first go 'round!

Mark

Very cool!