ADVICE: Winchester Model 1887

[JCV]

UPDATED: thread title

My grandfather has had this for a very long time, it was left to him from his uncle.
He claims it is as old as he is, not sure how true that is, but he is about 65 years old.
There is only one identifying mark on the whole gun, a logo on the receiver which is shown below, besides that nothing.
No gauge, no serial number nothing that I could see.
Any ideas?







The lever worked, pulled the trigger it went click.
After a good cleaning what would I need to look for to see if it would be safe to fire?

EDIT: sorry for the shitty pics

 

[Jason Flare]

Winchester Repeating Arms Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[camojunky]

Looks to be a Winchester 1887. Very nice shotgun which is on my "list"

 

[Sparkey]

They are going for 1000 to 1700 depending
it is also on my wish list

 

[JCV]

Now I've gotta figure out if its a 12g or 10g........is it as simple as seeing if the shell "fits" in the chamber, without pulling the trigger, of course.

 

[whatluck]

Snap caps?

 

[JCV]

Snap caps?

good idea.
is modern ammo a no-no in these after i find out what gauge it is?

 

[whatluck]

I would def have a qualified gunsmith have a look at it if you're not comfortable checking headspace. If it's an original in 12 gauge then it's definatly a BP only gun, there was later a 10ga that was made for smokeless powder, but I'm not sure that even the 10 ga could handle modern loads.

If I had one of those I'd clean it up and not shoot it. I'm sure someone will come along and tell you otherwise, YMMV.

 

[JCV]

Yeah it would be more for my grandfather IF he even wanted to fire it. I was just curious what to tell him, besides hold on let me ask my NES friends, if he had any interest in shooting it.

Thanks everyone for the help and info.
I'll try to find the serial number next time I see the gun, possibly tomorrow.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

MMMMM 1887 porn. All I think of is T2

 

[JCV]

I was given this tonight to hold onto.
Serial number is 43XX.

Very small amount of surface rust, i'll clean that off after I clean the bore and receiver.

Suggestions on what to clean it with? Just as I normally would?

EDIT: ran the serial number and it was manufactured in 1887

 

[Palladin]

Dude, hang onto it

 

[Apcsox]

sweet, find another one, put on marathon pro and sleight of hand pro, and run around like a little bitch...... oh wait.... that was MW2

 

[JCV]

Dude, hang onto it

i definitely am. he made a comment about selling it, i ignored it. there's too much sentimental value in it. especially if it's been in the family for so long.

found some black powder shells online, i wonder they'd work in this or if they'd still be too powerful. i've got no interest in putting more than 5 shells down range, 3 of which will probably be my grandfather. after that, in the safe or on the wall it goes.

 

[warwickben]

I was given this tonight to hold onto.
Serial number is 43XX.

Very small amount of surface rust, i'll clean that off after I clean the bore and receiver.

Suggestions on what to clean it with? Just as I normally would?

EDIT: ran the serial number and it was manufactured in 1887

If you try to clean up the rusting, it has now I think you mite lose some value? Kinda refurbished vs original .

 

[JCV]

If you try to clean up the rusting, it has now I think you mite lose some value? Kinda refurbished vs original .

this is true, though i don't plan on selling it i would like to keep it original so a little surface rust is may be alright.

 

[Knob Creek]

1897's are routinely used in CAS. I've used Winchester featherlight loads as do most others with no problems for years. Because of CAS you'll find aftermarket replacement parts for these readily available.

 

[sieveboy]

These usually have a "12" stamped into the barrel about 1 inch down from the receiver. Check closely, it may be there. A 10 gauge 1887 is quite rare. Having it checked by a gunsmith is good advice.

There was a 1901 made, in 10 gauge only. These are clearly marked.

These are fun to shoot, here is my 1901 firing 10 gauge BP
http://youtu.be/BCHLGRGU-18

 

[JCV]

Nice weather is upon us.

My grandfatehr recently asked me if it was in shooting condition. Well the old man wasn't clear he wanted to shoot it before, now he does. But no IMO it is not in shooting condition until someone can check headspace.

Recs on a gunsmith? Is a gunsmith neccessary or does anyone on here wanna check headspace?
Are Winchester Featherlight loads the way to go?

 

[JCV]

BUMP.

Anyone have any recommendations on a gunsmith (preferably on the N.Shore) that may be able to look this shotgun over?

I haven't done anything with it since I've posted this thread and my grandfather brought it up to me recently that he'd enjoy firing it. So the time to have it looked at and determined if it was safe to fire now.