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April 7, 2020
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Alot of people collect Winchesters for different reasons. Some like the fancy things that cost an arm and a leg, others like used guns because they tell a story. What do you like?
For me, I collect whatever I find is attractive. Doesn’t matter to me if it has a low serial number or pristine condition, whatever looks good, il buy it (if I can afford it 🙁 ). I Also shoot everything I own, doesn’t matter if its new, used, old… Its shooting.
Pictures appreciated 🙂
Here’s my favorite and most sued rifle. My 86 on my log cabin wall. (im building a small cabin)
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November 19, 2006
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That ’86 looks right at home on your cabin wall. I’m going to speculate it’s a .33 WCF?
As to the answer to your question, I know there’s a lot of answers for me. The design, the history, the craftsmanship, the quality of materials, the mystique, the utility, my family history of using them, the nostalgia, the fact that so many covet them… it’s a long list 
November 19, 2006
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I forgot to mention character:
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May 24, 2012
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Here’s one I could not pass up…a 2nd Model 1890 in .22 WRF. It’s just a shooter with a rough bore. It was the dickens to clean the bore and I thought for sure that it would not hold a group at even short range, but I was surprised. It does not have the original rear barrel sight. I have pondered the thought of having the barrel relined and putting a Winchester A5 scope on it…but, alas, I haven’t done that yet. Although the thought still interests me…but if I did…I would not tell Clarence!!! Just kidding!!!
Good Morning Clarence, wherever you may be?! 
James
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November 19, 2006
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jwm94 said
Here’s one I could not pass up…a 2nd Model 1890 in .22 WRF. It’s just a shooter with a rough bore. It was the dickens to clean the bore and I thought for sure that it would not hold a group at even short range, but I was surprised. It does not have the original rear barrel sight. I have pondered the thought of having the barrel relined and putting a Winchester A5 scope on it…but, alas, I haven’t done that yet. Although the thought still interests me…but if I did…I would not tell Clarence!!! Just kidding!!!
Good Morning Clarence, wherever you may be?!
James
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James – looks nice. I know, how can a guy pass up rifles like this?
July 9, 2011
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My collecting is primarily Model 1890’s with a few 1906 and single shot rifles in the mix. I was born in New Haven Ct in the early 50’s and Dad would often take me to the Winchester factory museum. My favorite memory is going to the old time shooting gallery at Savin Rock amusement park in West Haven where I could shoot Winchester gallery rifles….10 shots for 25 cents if I remember correctly.
I’m in the woods of VT now and still love plinking off my back porch.
My shooting gallery now and just a few of my rifles…
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November 19, 2006
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Plinking off a back porch… I am very envious.
By the way, nice collection of 22’s!
March 31, 2009
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jwm94 said
It does not have the original rear barrel sight. I have pondered the thought of having the barrel relined and putting a Winchester A5 scope on it…but, alas, I haven’t done that yet.
James
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What makes you think the rear sight is wrong? I’ve owned a few second models with this sight. Please don’t mess up this gun.
June 5, 2015
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I collect the “uncollectables” 22s. Drilled and taped, refinished, cold blued, cracked stock, messed up finish, it doesn’t matter. I’ll get them shooting straight and looking good for summer camp shooting, or holiday shoots for kids. I’ll introduce the Winchesters from the 1890 to the 141. The kids I know love Winchesters, and their dads too.
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
November 19, 2006
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Chuck said
What makes you think the rear sight is wrong? I’ve owned a few second models with this sight. Please don’t mess up this gun.
Wow – I’ll defer to others on the sight, but if the sight is right, and it was a pleasant surprise when you shot it – it sound like this rifle is a keeper just the way it is. I sure wouldn’t reline it if it shoots ok.
November 19, 2006
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Vince said
I collect the “uncollectables” 22s. Drilled and taped, refinished, cold blued, cracked stock, messed up finish, it doesn’t matter. I’ll get them shooting straight and looking good for summer camp shooting, or holiday shoots for kids. I’ll introduce the Winchesters from the 1890 to the 141. The kids I know love Winchesters, and their dads too.
Vince – that looks like a fine group of .22’s. I applaud your efforts to bring young people (and their dads) into some top notch recreational activity. As we know, this can easily become a life-long hobby and pastime.
November 7, 2015
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Vince said
I collect the “uncollectables” 22s. Drilled and taped, refinished, cold blued, cracked stock, messed up finish, it doesn’t matter. I’ll get them shooting straight and looking good for summer camp shooting, or holiday shoots for kids. I’ll introduce the Winchesters from the 1890 to the 141. The kids I know love Winchesters, and their dads too.
Good job, Vince! I shot my first .22 almost 50 years ago at summer camp. All I know is that it was a single shot bolt action with peep sights. I do remember that I had a great time and almost all my spending money went to buy .22 shells. I bet you’re making some great memories with those .22’s!
Mike
May 24, 2012
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Chuck said
What makes you think the rear sight is wrong? I’ve owned a few second models with this sight. Please don’t mess up this gun.
Hi Chuck,
The sight as pictured is of the 1903 era which fits the DOM, but it most likely had the very hard to come by 32 A with the Elevator 1 or 2 B as it has about a two inch slender wear mark in the finish that one would leave. I’m like you though when it comes to altering an old gun, so I probbaly won’t do that!
Thanks for your concern.
James
May 24, 2012
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Rustyjack said
My collecting is primarily Model 1890’s with a few 1906 and single shot rifles in the mix. I was born in New Haven Ct in the early 50’s and Dad would often take me to the Winchester factory museum. My favorite memory is going to the old time shooting gallery at Savin Rock amusement park in West Haven where I could shoot Winchester gallery rifles….10 shots for 25 cents if I remember correctly.I’m in the woods of VT now and still love plinking off my back porch.
My shooting gallery now and just a few of my rifles…
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Hi Rusty!
Down in Texas when I was a lad, my father would take me to the carnivals and fairs when they came to town, and I just loved shooting these old rifles back then. Then one day a rancher insisted that my dad take his scoped 90 and take me shooting. The man was a total stranger to us…but we did it to please him, and I had a great time. A little over 40 years later, I bought my first 90!
James
May 24, 2012
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steve004 said
Wow – I’ll defer to others on the sight, but if the sight is right, and it was a pleasant surprise when you shot it – it sound like this rifle is a keeper just the way it is. I sure wouldn’t reline it if it shoots ok.
It shoots good enough to take rabbits at a relative short range. I’ve not tried it beyond that.
Thanks, Steve,
James
May 24, 2012
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Vince said
I collect the “uncollectables” 22s. Drilled and taped, refinished, cold blued, cracked stock, messed up finish, it doesn’t matter. I’ll get them shooting straight and looking good for summer camp shooting, or holiday shoots for kids. I’ll introduce the Winchesters from the 1890 to the 141. The kids I know love Winchesters, and their dads too.
Bless you, Vince!
James
March 31, 2009
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jwm94 said
Hi Chuck,
The sight as pictured is of the 1903 era which fits the DOM, but it most likely had the very hard to come by 32 A with the Elevator 1 or 2 B as it has about a two inch slender wear mark in the finish that one would leave. I’m like you though when it comes to altering an old gun, so I probbaly won’t do that!
Thanks for your concern.
James
I was just trying to save you some money.
September 11, 2008
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I collect all Winchesters and Marlins up to 1945. Why? Because I am excited about the rapid development and competitive situation of the two companies.
Greetings from Germany
Stefan
November 7, 2015
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I collect early and JMB-designed centerfire rifles with an apparent focus on the 1894. I also seem to like the Model 12 shotguns and the 1897 by association. Apparently I like almost every rimfire model with no discernible preference. Why? Because they’re Winchesters and any further reason is case by case or “just because”. I use my centerfire collection to tell the pre-WW2 story of Winchester. Someday I’ll have a Henry and an 1866 to properly tell this story but today is not that day. 😉 The shotguns? I’m a trap shooter and the Model 12 ruled the trap fields for many years and on the rare occasion I bring them out they attract lots of attention and perform quite well. Rimfires? Still trying to figure that out. Winchester built quite a few models for just about any purpose or budget and all were solid performers. A good 52 will very nearly keep up with all but the very best of today’s custom .22 bench rest guns. Pretty good for a gun that hasn’t been built in nearly 60 years! They also built the 67(A), a solid shooter for a much lower price point. Can’t forget the 87 Winder Musket and the 75…..you get the idea.
Mike
November 19, 2006
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steff said
I collect all Winchesters and Marlins up to 1945. Why? Because I am excited about the rapid development and competitive situation of the two companies.
Greetings from Germany
Stefan
Stefan – that certainly sounds like a fine reasons to collect Winchesters and Marlins. Did you ever think of throwing Savage M1895’s, M1899’s and M99’s of that same time period in the mix? One neat aspect is that the Savage M1895’s were made in the Marlin factory. Winchester, Marlin and Savage all competed aggressively in the lever rifle market.
