Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/ Simple:Press Version 6.11.14 Bert H. on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180788 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180788 To add to this, for the Model 1897, you are looking for a gun in the 34141 - 46190 serial range.  I currently have (2) of them.  For the Model 1893, the serial number needs to be < 7559 (I have one, a very nice Riot Gun).

For any other models that you need serial number information for, just ask.

Bert

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:40:27 +0000 Anthony on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180784 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180784 Charles,

That's a very nice display, and an interesting Idea. I'm in agreement with the other members, as far as what they are saying. Finding the extremely tough first year, and in many cases expensive examples, will certainly be a big challenge, but the lowest decent example found, can certainly fill the spot on the wall as you search. The beauty is you can always trade or move up upon finding an early one, as you're thinking. 

I'm curious to you're thinking on starting with the M-73 and ending at the M-55?  Smile

I remember some 50 years ago my very first Winchester was a M-1894, first year rifle. Definitely not the hardest one to find. Some of the models in you're quest aren't serial numbered. (I'm sure an early will fit the bill). I will take a look in the near future as I might have something you might need.

Thanks for sharing.

Tony

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:53:13 +0000 twobit on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180783 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180783 Now that is a unique quest.  Congratulations.  For the Model 1892's the SN needs to be less than 7121 to qualify.  I have seen 364 that will fill that slot in the past 15 years and have 10 first year guns.  What is your SN for the 1892?  

Michael

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:51:58 +0000 Buck1967 on 1886 in 45-70 upgrade?! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180782 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180782

mrcvs said
To be honest with you, I would rather have the rougher example.  At least it has some original finish.  The refinish does not plus it also appears there are extra screws in the frame where there was once a receiver sight.
  

Why not have them both! Each tells a different story and are equally beautiful to me! Plus, Cowboy got a great deal on it. Double win. Congrats Cowboy!

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000 Buck1967 on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180781 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180781 Gosh what a great goal and thanks for sharing the display pics! That sure brightens the day for any Winchester Collector. I will gladly keep an eye out for you in hopes of helping out! Good luck on the journey and please share new pics of the display with any additions! 

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:37:14 +0000 tionesta1 on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180780 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180780 Very nice display, good luck with finding the first year guns you need.  Keep us posted.

Thanks,

Al

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:07:38 +0000 Bert H. on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180778 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180778 Yes indeed, most of the DOM information found in books and the internet is disinformation.

For a Single Shot (Model 1885), the serial number needs to be < 506 to be a true 1st year rifle.

Bert

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:14:51 +0000 Chris D on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180777 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180777 Nice display! Enjoy the hunt for your first year Winchesters!

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:37:57 +0000 Cowboy103 on 1886 in 45-70 upgrade?! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180776 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180776

IMG_4604.pngmrcvs said
To be honest with you, I would rather have the rougher example.  At least it has some original finish.  The refinish does not plus it also appears there are extra screws in the frame where there was once a receiver sight.
  

Oh it wasn’t original lol I had gave it some bluing because when I first got it it was badddd. I’ll probably put a Lyman sight on it tbh so the screws is a plus for me, the mechanics on the other was eh sticky also

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:24:22 +0000 mrcvs on 1886 in 45-70 upgrade?! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180775 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180775 To be honest with you, I would rather have the rougher example.  At least it has some original finish.  The refinish does not plus it also appears there are extra screws in the frame where there was once a receiver sight.

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:01:05 +0000 Cowboy103 on 1886 in 45-70 upgrade?! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180774 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180774 Picture of previous “rougher” modelIMG_3619.jpeg

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:54:50 +0000 Cowboy103 on 1886 in 45-70 upgrade?! https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180773 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/1886-in-45-70-upgrade/#p180773 IMG_4603.jpegSo picked up 1891 mfg 1886 rifle in 45-70 today from a fairly local gun shop, that I normally hate going to because it’s all the same plastic and names I don’t recognize guns. But I do keep there gunbroker account on my watchlist and check every now and then to see if they have any used stuff on there. Well I noticed last night that they had a handful of used stuff posted and one being this 1886, had a buy it now price and a starting bid but no one had bidded yet. I had recently sold the only original 86 I had which was also a 45-70 rifle, that was kinda rough, but I got it for a good deal and did some cleaning on it and it had great mechanics. Guy who was buying another gun from me wanted a price and I gave him one and he took it. So when I seen this one local that had been refinished and was less than what I sold the rough one for, I had to jump on it, so went and checked it out and no one had bid yet and they actually gave me a little better deal on it not going though GB. When it was refinished it did have the serial number restamped on the lower tang, so waiting to hear back from Jessica with a serial search. 

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:50:26 +0000 Bert H. on Winchester 55 first year production https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/winchester-55-first-year-production/#p180766 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/winchester-55-first-year-production/#p180766 I agree, it is a faintly stamped "4", and that is precisely what it should be.

Thanks,

Bert

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:48:30 +0000 Gunsnfishin on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180764 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180764

Chris D said
Now that would be an impressive feat. Have you found a true 1st year production 1873 made in 1873? There were not many made - I believe it will be a 2 digit serial number to be made in 1873. 
This post may be helpful for you:
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/winchester-1873-dates-of-manufacture-from-1961-winchester-newsletter/
Your quest depends on what source you are relying on for your dates. 
Chris
  

No I do not have a 1873 yet - once I get the easier ones I will focus on the more expensive hard to find - I have Cody letters on most - and yes lots of first year disinformation out there - I have made a spot for each one to fill - prob start selling off some of the other 60 image.jpgguns I have to finance the rare ones

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:38:36 +0000 Chris D on First year guns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180763 Winchester Rifles https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/first-year-guns/#p180763 Now that would be an impressive feat. Have you found a true 1st year production 1873 made in 1873? There were not many made - I believe it will be a 2 digit serial number to be made in 1873. 

This post may be helpful for you:

https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/winchester-1873-dates-of-manufacture-from-1961-winchester-newsletter/

Your quest depends on what source you are relying on for your dates. 

Chris

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