Hi everyone, first time post. Looking thru some of the interesting topics here I thought I’d see if any of you guy’s were interested in seeing what I believe to be original Winchester factory design drawings. I have 2 drawings that were given to me from a family member a few years back. I believe one drawing is of the model 1887 shotgun dated April 3rd, 1886. Not quite sure of the model of the 2nd drawing maybe some of you guy’s can help in identifying it, but it’s dated July 15, 1890. I’m pretty sure I did see a William Mason signature somewhere on one of these drawings. If anybody is interested in seeing them I’ll dig them out and try and post some photo’s.
I’d love to see what you got.
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Gary,
The first drawing in your post is a Model 1893. I can not see the others clearly enough to confirm what they are. If you can do so, please send copies of each to me at [email protected]
Bert.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The second drawing looks like a fixture for machining the tang.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
Because the Model 1893 and 1897 are virtually identical (the upper and lower tangs), I suspect the tool fixture was manufactured for the Model 1893. Additionally, Gary sent me several drawings for the Model 1893 (none for the Model 1897 or Model 1887).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Vince said
It says engraving lower tang, vs machining.
Hi Vince,
It actually says “Edging” which I took to be a machine operation. I could be wrong though.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Bert H. said
Because the Model 1893 and 1897 are virtually identical (the upper and lower tangs), I suspect the tool fixture was manufactured for the Model 1893. Additionally, Gary sent me several drawings for the Model 1893 (none for the Model 1897 or Model 1887).
Bert
You could be right, the date and drawing number are a better match for the 1893.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Thanks again guy’s for all your help with correctly identifying these drawings. They are a very small part of Winchester history, and it’s important to me have them correctly identified. As i told Bert, these drawings came from a small gallery in west Texas back in the early 70’s and along with them was a letter mistakenly identifying the one as being the 1887. (So much for a gallery’s opinion huh?) Thanks again for your valued insight and expertise. For the heck of it I’ll include a copy of the letter…..Gary
JWA said
Vince said
It says engraving lower tang, vs machining.Hi Vince,
It actually says “Edging” which I took to be a machine operation. I could be wrong though.
Regards,
Boy am I embarrassed, and wrong. Wish I could blame spellcheck for this one but ….
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt

I have three original drafting room drawings form the Winchester factory, two of them signed by William Mason. They came with the Prototype Winchester Pistol that sold at Rock Island Auction in 2013. The gun had no serial number on it only a “M”. The earliest on I have is from the Model 1876 rifle. Can any of you add any information that would give me an idea of what I should do with them? I can’t get any of the pictures to copy to this email??
DBJ said
I have three original drafting room drawings form the Winchester factory, two of them signed by William Mason. They came with the Prototype Winchester Pistol that sold at Rock Island Auction in 2013. The gun had no serial number on it only a “M”. The earliest on I have is from the Model 1876 rifle. Can any of you add any information that would give me an idea of what I should do with them? I can’t get any of the pictures to copy to this email??
I highly recommend finding a paper conservative or the like to handle your stuff. At the least have them framed with proper matting and museum grade glass.
Here are some web links with some useful information.
https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/19-09.pdf
https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/paper.html
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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