Have an Old Winchester?

[BigJ]

Winchester Model 1887 SN 21953 was made in late 1888, with 14,857 made that year.
Winchester Model 1897 SN 392648 was made in late 1907, with 46,162 made that year.

Thank you!

[ms_erin]

Model 1897 - S/N 621xx
Thanks in advance.

[TRAP55]

Model 1897 - S/N 621xx
Thanks in advance.

Erin, yours was made in about Nov of 1898, with 17,677 made that year.

[TRAP55]

Thank you!

J, You're most welcome! On your 1887, I need to do some fact finding to confirm, but if I recall, the early ones made had 2.5" chambers, and later they went to 2 5/8ths or 2.75? Anyhow, BP or BP pressures only in that old girl, and all 1887's. And roll crimp paper hulls, or brass cases. If you plan on reloading paper hulls, I'll save you some 2.75" new once fired hulls you can cut to length...if I ever find the combo to my shotgun safe.

[gonguncrzy]

Hi Trap55,

I have a model 1894 in 30wcf, s/n 848XX that I would appreciate some info on if its not too much trouble.

Thanks in advance!

[TRAP55]

Hi Trap55,

I have a model 1894 in 30wcf, s/n 848XX that I would appreciate some info on if its not too much trouble.

Thanks in advance!

Made early in 1900, with 23,784 made that year.

[gonguncrzy]

Made early in 1900, with 23,784 made that year.

Thank you very much Sir!

[TRAP55]

gonguncrzy, your rifle is the perfect example of why we started this project, and why the die hard collectors have refused to accept these dates.
The Madis DOM for your rifle shows it made in 1897, making it an "Antique" and adding to the value, when in fact, it was made about late Feb? of 1900 making it a "C&R".
Three years or three days can make a big difference on the rifle's classification status. I've seen dozens of Winchesters sold on GB with the wrong date of manufacture, with a couple of C&R's being sold as Antiques. To my knowledge, the BATF hasn't gone after any of them...yet. But I'll bet when they nail the first one, a whole buncha people are going to be double checking their serial numbers.
It'll probably open a big can of lawsuit worms too, and I'll bet that's the exact reason the Blue Book of Gun Values finally listed these polishing room dates alongside the Madis dates.

[gonguncrzy]

Trap55,
Yes, some of my early internet research indicated the rifle was made in 1897. I later found more information discussing the incorrect Madis DOM data and that obtaining a Cody letter would be best.... that's when I found your thread and asked you for more info. Also glad to see that the Blue Book now lists the polishing room dates too... I had held off on buying a copy for that reason... guess I should finally get one!

Thanks again Trap!

[Dano2467]

What can you tell me about my Grandad's ol'97 s/n 730421 with an E over it?

[71kcfdcapt]

I have 2 1873's, 1st one is a sporter, round barrel 24" in 32-20 ser.#314008B
2nd is a sporter, octagon barrel 28" in 44-40 ser.#3XXXX1 from memory, I am not home to look at it but I happen to have the 32-20 with me. I will post it up when I have it.

[TRAP55]

What can you tell me about my Grandad's ol'97 s/n 730421 with an E over it?

Made late 1920, with 30,483 made that year. The "E" would signify something in a production change, sadly no one has found that info, and the ones that knew, are long gone.

[TRAP55]

I have 2 1873's, 1st one is a sporter, round barrel 24" in 32-20 ser.#314008B
2nd is a sporter, octagon barrel 28" in 44-40 ser.#3XXXX1 from memory, I am not home to look at it but I happen to have the 32-20 with me. I will post it up when I have it.

ser.#314008B was made in late 1889, with 38,651 made that year.

ser.#3XXXX1 was made between 1888 and 1891, if that's as close as you can get, that's as close as I can get.
PM me the the number when ya get it, and I'll edit this post with the correct year.

[71kcfdcapt]

ser.#314008B was made in late 1889, with 38,651 made that year.

ser.#3XXXX1 was made between 1888 and 1891, if that's as close as you can get, that's as close as I can get.
PM me the the number when ya get it, and I'll edit this post with the correct year.

Thank you for the info. I will get the rest of the ser. number to you in a couple of days.

[71kcfdcapt]

Trap, the complete serial number on the 2nd 1873 is 33871. I added and extra x in it before.