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September 13, 2025
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A 1892 is currently on GB with this description concerning its blocked-out serial number.
Price Pirate examples of the Model 1892 are especially scarce, as relatively few rifles were subjected to this serial number obliteration process. The overstamped WRACO marking and grid pattern on the receiver are factory-applied identifiers when the rifle was returned for service, making these rifles immediately recognizable and highly unusual survivors of Winchester’s internal business practices rather than routine production arms.
The Madis book, pg. 645, has this minimal write-up about this situation.
“Some guns which were sold by distributors selling to dealers who cut prices had the serial numbers removed to eliminate the possibility of Winchester’s refusing to sell more guns to these firms.”
Does anybody have any additional information about how this happened? Did the distributors know who the discounters were and removed the serial number before delivery, or did the factory remove them after they went back to the factory, as the seller indicated?
If this was discussed in the past, point me to the thread, as I could not find it during a search.
April 15, 2005
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The WRACO over stamp was positively not a factory applied obliteration of the serial number, nor did it occur when a gun was “returned to service”. The subject marking is found on a small number of the Models 1892, 1893, 1894, and 1897 that were manufactured in the mid to late 1890s only.
The theory
“Some guns which were sold by distributors selling to dealers who cut prices had the serial numbers removed to eliminate the possibility of Winchester’s refusing to sell more guns to these firms.”
is actually correct. The “distributer” was Sears & Roebuck when they were still located in Chicago, IL. Winchester did eventually cease selling firearms to Sears & Roebuck as a result of them selling at prices lower than what Winchester dictated.
The serial numbers were removed by employees of Sears & Roebuck, and they were crudely done. Several different types of over stamp types have been observed.
The pictures below are all Model 1893 Slide-action Shotguns with a “WRACO” over stamp. Note that the pattern and style is different for each one of them.
These are WRACO over stamps on Model 1894s
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 13, 2025
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Thank you, Bert.
A very interesting story. I knew there was a Paul Harvey, page 2, to this situation.
April 15, 2005
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fzando said
I knew there was a Paul Harvey, page 2, to this situation.
Now that brought back some very fond memories!
My Grandfather Hartman was a contract roofer in the Portland Oregon area from the mid 1930s through the mid 1970s. Late in his working career he was able to recruit some cheap help… my slightly older cousin and myself. For two summers, we lived at my grandparent’s home in SE Portland, and we worked six days a week (minimum 10-hour days) hoofing tar paper and asphalt singles off of his truck & trailer and up the ladder to the roofs. Our first (and only rest of the day) was when the local radio station (KWJJ 99) aired the Paul Harvey show at noon. My Grandfather would halt work, turn up the portable radio, and we would eat lunch while listening to Paul Harvey “And the Rest of the Story”. On Saturdays, lunch always consisted of a fried Spam sandwich (on sourdough bread with mustard) and an RC Cola (the old glass 16 0z bottles). I relished the break, lunch, and listening to Paul Harvey spin his always interesting stories!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 9, 2002
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Those are great memories Bert, that you have, and are willing to share with us! Many of us older members can relate, and have some similar stories, as we can all appreciate the hard work and the lessons learned!
The extended information on the obliterated serial numbers, with the WRACo over stamp, has been an ongoing dilemma/conversation for years, as you’re well aware of, and to re read it, never gets old.
Anthony
September 19, 2014
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Anthony and others,
The “story” of obliterated serial numbers will likely persist despite Bert’s best efforts. I’ve heard a version repeated over many years, and about bet it will persist. Rumor is often more repeated and credible than truth. I will slaughter this saying by I think Mark Twain about how “lies circle the globe while truth is still getting its pants on”, but there is deep knowledge inside that version. Tim
December 9, 2002
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tim tomlinson said
Anthony and others,
The “story” of obliterated serial numbers will likely persist despite Bert’s best efforts. I’ve heard a version repeated over many years, and about bet it will persist. Rumor is often more repeated and credible than truth. I will slaughter this saying by I think Mark Twain about how “lies circle the globe while truth is still getting its pants on”, but there is deep knowledge inside that version. Tim
Tim,
Good points!
A friend of mine who’s one of the younger guy’s that came around as a group of kids and did a lot of chores and yard work, as this young man turned out to be an area Police Chief, getting ready to retire, who toasted me at his wedding, as he called me several years ago, with a Police auction coming up, and a 1911, with the original serial number ground off, and a new rather large numbered and obvious 4 digit serial number re stamped on it, as a fine shooter. I picked it up very cheap, with all the paper work, and still shoot the heck out of that thing. Accurate as all get out!
I thought about Mark Douglas video and trying to re store the original serial number but that might take some legal paperwork and a certified licensed gun Smith that I happen to know. Still pondering it while I shoot targets with it! 
Anthony
March 8, 2023
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Bert,
Thanks for sharing the memories. I remember the old Royal Crown cola in glass bottles. We rarely had money to buy one but they were what we bought when we did. They were less expensive than a coke or Pepsi in a bottle and you got more. Remember when they had that peal the cap seal to see if you won 25 cents?
Rob
April 15, 2005
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Robert Drummond Jr said
Bert,
Thanks for sharing the memories. I remember the old Royal Crown cola in glass bottles. We rarely had money to buy one but they were what we bought when we did. They were less expensive than a coke or Pepsi in a bottle and you got more. Remember when they had that peal the cap seal to see if you won 25 cents?
Rob
Yes I do… and I almost never won anything, but it was fun looking. We always carefully saved the bottles for the 10-cent deposit. Oregon passed the Bottle Bill in 1971, enacted it in 1972, and the bottles that we used to pitch in the trash suddenly became worth 10-cents apiece!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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My friend and I used to steal my mom’s old 49 Mercury and coast it to the nearest liquor store. I would put it in gear and then hit the starter button to get it moving. Once on the street it would coast some going to the store but no coasting going back. All this for our RC Colas. I was around 13 at the time.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck said
My friend and I used to steal my mom’s old 49 Mercury and coast it to the nearest liquor store. I would put it in gear and then hit the starter button to get it moving. Once on the street it would coast some going to the store but no coasting going back. All this for our RC Colas. I was around 13 at the time.
Lazy! I used to ride my bicycle 6-miles each direction to town in the late 1960s and early 1970s to get a soda pop or a root beer float.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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Bert H. said
Chuck said
My friend and I used to steal my mom’s old 49 Mercury and coast it to the nearest liquor store. I would put it in gear and then hit the starter button to get it moving. Once on the street it would coast some going to the store but no coasting going back. All this for our RC Colas. I was around 13 at the time.
Lazy! I used to ride my bicycle 6-miles each direction to town in the late 1960s and early 1970s to get a soda pop or a root beer float.
Lazy or smart? It was only about a quarter mile each way.
