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Winchester Model 1890 Slide Action .22 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:850.00 - 1,350.00 USD
Winchester Model 1890 Slide Action .22 Rifle
Early Winchester Model 1890 pump action rifle in scarce and desirable .22 WRF (Winchester Rim Fire) caliber, serial number 292176, manufactured 1906. The .22 WRF cartridge featured a longer case, heavier flat nosed bullet, and was more powerful than the standard .22 Short Rim Fire or .22 Long Rim Fire chamberings available in the Model 1890 rifle (the .22 WRF is still loaded today by CCI and is readily available). When this rifle recently turned up in Arizona, it clearly had not been cleaned in decades. Collectors refer to this unusual and desirable state of preservation as “attic condition.” A very rudimentary oil-cleaning of the metal parts removed many years of accumulated dried grease and surface gunk! Happily, underneath revealed the following: The standard 24” barrel and correct 2/3 magazine retain an attractive aged blue appearance as does the receiver. All Winchester markings and patent dates on the barrel are sharp and distinct. The barrel ahead of the receiver is clearly marked “22 W.R.F.” and the upper tang retains good Winchester markings. This rifle also retains the original buckhorn rear sight with correct and desirable 1901 patent date. The front sight is the correct short blade with bead. The action is tight and the forend is very fine. The forend screws are in excellent condition (and still caked with dried grease!). The butt stock is an uncleaned dark walnut showing an excellent appearance with few handling marks. The stock also retains a very tight wood to metal fit. The takedown fit between the receiver and barrel assembly is also tight with no play and the bore is dark with rifling still evident. The Model 1890 was one of the most iconic and successful of all 20th Century .22 Rim Fire rifles. Most saw hard use in target shooting, small game hunting and general plinking. Very few have survived in presentable condition today. This is an outstandingly rare 114 year old Winchester with a very attractive “attic condition” appearance. It is very difficult to find a Winchester Model 1890 of this early vintage that has eluded collectors for so many decades! A true undisturbed Winchester that would now benefit from its first careful cleaning and T.L.C.! This firearm qualifies as a Curio & Relic, and requires FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.