In the Winchester Shotguns and Shotshell book by Ronald W. Stadt he talks about a study by Porter that lists “of the 64,771 guns reported 67 had a 28″ barrel”. I do not know who Porter is nor how accurate his study was. According to this data barrel lengths varied from 12″ to 37″.
Cliff,
Special order barrel lengths were rare for the Model 1887. The only way to be sure would be to contact the CFM records office and have the serial number on the subject gun researched.
William (Bill) Porter was a former CFM employee, and worked in what we now call the records office. He completed a number of research surveys of the Winchester records during his tenure (the ARMAX Volume V Model 1894 survey was one of them).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Cliff said
Bert, are you talking about getting it lettered?
No, not necessarily. If you are a CFM member, you get at least (15) free serial number searches per year. The serial number research sheet will have the same information as a Factory letter.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Cliff said
Thanks guys. The owner says he cannot tell if its been cut or not. He said it is marked ‘full” and the brass bead is 1/2″ from the muzzle. Being that I would like to add one original 1887 to my collection, I might just pass on this one. C
I think that you should do as Bert says. If this letters as 28″ it would be cool to have.
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