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April 30, 2023
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Hello all, was the buttplate on my mod. 1901 shotgun blued from the factory? I’m assuming it was but mine is pretty rusty and it’s hard to tell (she’s no creampuff but still in nice enough shape…I think someone cut a couple inches of the barrel at some point but did a nice job and resoldered a brass bead….)
I was thinking of boiling/carding the part to convert rust and bring back some protection but wanted to make sure the original was blued….thx!
April 15, 2005
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If it has the same checkered steel butt plate as shown in the attached picture, then Yes, it was originally blued. Most of the Model 1901 shotguns had a black hard rubber butt plate.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 30, 2023
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Bert H. said
If it has the same checkered steel butt plate as shown in the attached picture, then Yes, it was originally blued. Most of the Model 1901 shotguns had a black hard rubber butt plate.
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Hi Bert! Yes, that is the one it has, steel. Made in 1902…waiting until I join the Cody museum and do a search because I’m holding out that someone ordered it as a 28″ barrel but I know the odds are stacked 
 thanks, I will convert the rust on this piece.
April 15, 2005
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That fat that it is an early production Model 1901 increases the likelihood that the steel butt plate is original. I have not studied the Model 1901 enough to know when the steel butt plate was replaced by the hard rubber plate.
Per the Winchester catalogs, a 32-inch barrel was standard, and all other (shorter) lengths were special order. Hopefully your shotgun does letter with the 28-inch barrel. What is the choke constriction? Where (precisely) is the bead sight located in relationship to the muzzle face?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 30, 2023
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Bert H. said
That fat that it is an early production Model 1901 increases the likelihood that the steel butt plate is original. I have not studied the Model 1901 enough to know when the steel butt plate was replaced by the hard rubber plate.Per the Winchester catalogs, a 32-inch barrel was standard, and all other (shorter) lengths were special order. Hopefully your shotgun does letter with the 28-inch barrel. What is the choke constriction? Where (precisely) is the bead sight located in relationship to the muzzle face?
Bert
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My safe has been inaccessible due to house painters being there and having everything all masked up but I should be able to get in by end of weekend and I will get the measurements of the bead and what choke style. I want to say the choke was marked “OPEN” but don’t quote me on that yet. The buttplate and the wood underneath both have a similar-script “1” marked into them. I’ll get some pics too, why not? 
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On a side note, it’s missing the rear forend screw and replacements for a 1887 are available online….looks like a lot of parts interchange on these….you know off the top of your head if the rear forend screw interchanges?
April 15, 2005
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I would expect the forend slat screws were identical for the Model 187 and 1901.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 30, 2023
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Well, bad memory on the choke..it’s a “FULL” and the brass bead is almost exactly 9/16″ from the muzzle face. The lower tang also has a “1” marked into the side, like the buttplate and stock. The upper tang is marked “WINCHESTER” only, which doesn’t conform to the Madis book description of the different upper tang markings…
I went ahead and included some pics because, well, why not? 🙂
Appreciate all the conversation!
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JP
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April 15, 2005
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The front bead sight should be precisely .50″ inch from its center to the muzzle face. The 28-inch barrel length is concerning.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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Since the tang, stock and buttplate all have the 1 stamped into them I believe the buttplate is original to the gun. I don’t like the gouge on the barrel just in front of the receiver? Maybe someone tried to remove the barrel?Â
April 30, 2023
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Chuck said
Since the tang, stock and buttplate all have the 1 stamped into them I believe the buttplate is original to the gun. I don’t like the gouge on the barrel just in front of the receiver? Maybe someone tried to remove the barrel? Â
I agree with all the above…my guess is that exactly, there’s some boogering on the other side too and I bet that’s what happened.
And yes, Bert, I imagine it was cut down at some point….at least they did it clean and did a good job with the bead…clean I mean.
April 30, 2023
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Chuck said
 I don’t like the gouge on the barrel just in front of the receiver? Â Â
I don’t plan on shooting this ever but want to preserve what’s left. Should I repair that or just leave it…..tending towards leaving it.
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I have it completely disassembled right now so I can rust convert and oil it.Â
