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August 24, 2023
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I do have a couple early 100s with 4 digit SNs but I have never seen or heard of the very first ones that came off the production line. So, did Winchester ever begin a new model with the serial number 1?
April 15, 2005
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Gary,
With only a few exceptions, nearly all Winchester models began with serial number “1”. That stated, these were a few of the exceptions;
The Model 1866 Lever-action was a continuation of the Henry Rifle serial number sequence.
The Model 1897 Slide-action Shotgun was a continuation of the Model 1893 serial number sequence.
The Model 1901 Lever-action Shotgun was a continuation of the Model 1887 serial number sequence.
The Model 64 Lever-action was serial numbered entirely within the Model 94 sequence.
The Model 65 Lever-action was serial numbered entirely within the Model 92 sequence.
The Model 50 Semi-auto Shotgun began with serial number 1001.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 24, 2023
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Thanks Bert, great info. I do have to wonder if any of our members are fortunate enough to have ever found a # 1 Winchester but I suspect those would more likely end up in a museum or in a very wealthy collectors hands.
September 22, 2011
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Here’s Winchester 1886 Serial Number 1. Read through the thread, it’s a problematic firearm.
April 15, 2005
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Gary Lothrop said
Thanks Bert, great info. I do have to wonder if any of our members are fortunate enough to have ever found a # 1 Winchester but I suspect those would more likely end up in a museum or in a very wealthy collectors hands.
I have had my hands on Model 1912 S/N 2, Model 1894 S/N 3, and Model 71 S/N 4.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 24, 2023
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The closest I’ve been to anything like that is a friend up in Rochester owned a gorgeous Parker Shotgun that was a presentation to Teddy Roosevelt.
May 23, 2009
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A couple of years back Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show had a display at the NRA booth that was all Serial Number 1s.
It was a neat one to say the least.
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
