New Acquisitions: Winchester Model 1887

OnTheFly · March 12, 2010, 10:58 PM

My father had a small collection of arms passed down from his grandfather and father. I told a friend about how my mother had promised them (in the will) to me, and he said "get them now". Apparently he had a relative snag some items that were promised him and now they can't be found.

Talked to my mother about it and she said they aren't doing any good sitting in her basement. I feel like a proud new father all over again. So here is one of them...

Winchester Model 1887 Manufactured 1897
There was an interesting story behind this gun. My great grandfather purchased this when he was 15 years old (GASP! I know...so young to be handling things that kill!) with moneys he had earned 10 cents at a time. He was riding a horse when it was spooked by a snake. The horse reacted and my great grandfather fell off the horse, bending the barrel of the shotgun in the fall. He didn't want to junk the shotgun after earning the money to buy it, so he put the barrel in the fork of a tree trunk and carefully bent it until it was straight. He gave it a test fire and all was good.

Looks like I am going to have to learn how to load shot shell with black powder and some kind of softer shot (lead?) so I don't damage the barrel.

Fly

You don't see too many lever action shotguns.

**Shane Tuttle** · March 12, 2010, 11:15 PM

Moving over to C&R...

OnTheFly · March 13, 2010, 11:43 PM

Does anyone know if there are factory shells I could fire in this, or will I have to start loading shotshells myself? If so, anyone have a good formula? Black powder? Lead shot? From what I understand, the soft metal of the era of this gun requires a powder that produces lower pressures. Also, I am assuming the shot will have to be a softer metal like lead.

Fly

Scorch · March 14, 2010, 03:29 AM

Beautiful old 1887. Definitely a BP only proposition. Loading BP shotshells will take a little studying on your part. I would read up on it in the Lyman BP loading manual.

OnTheFly · March 14, 2010, 02:49 PM

Since there are BP 45-70 for my Springfield Model 1873, doesn't someone make BP shotshells for the cowboy action shooters? I don't know if I want to buy a bunch of equipment. At least not right now.

Fly

Hardcase · March 15, 2010, 11:37 AM

http://www.gadcustomcartridges.com/#shotgun

I've bought quite a few for my ancient damascus-barreled SxS and they work just fine. I've also used these light smokeless shells with good results: http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html

OnTheFly · March 15, 2010, 12:34 PM

Hardcase,

Thanks a lot. That's just what I was looking for. I actually already had the link to Gad from when I was searching for ammo to put in my Swiss Vetterli, but I didn't think to keep scrolling down for the shotshells.

Fly

March 12, 2010, 11:15 PM	#2
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,443	Moving over to C&R... __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

March 13, 2010, 11:43 PM	#3
OnTheFly Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: SE Nebraska Posts: 859	Does anyone know if there are factory shells I could fire in this, or will I have to start loading shotshells myself? If so, anyone have a good formula? Black powder? Lead shot? From what I understand, the soft metal of the era of this gun requires a powder that produces lower pressures. Also, I am assuming the shot will have to be a softer metal like lead. Fly __________________ I told my wife I was scheduling a mid-life crisis. It was either a Harley or guns. Secretly, I've already decided on guns. :-) Bang... Bang... Bang... Last edited by OnTheFly; March 13, 2010 at 11:57 PM.

March 14, 2010, 03:29 AM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Beautiful old 1887. Definitely a BP only proposition. Loading BP shotshells will take a little studying on your part. I would read up on it in the Lyman BP loading manual. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 14, 2010, 02:49 PM	#5
OnTheFly Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: SE Nebraska Posts: 859	Since there are BP 45-70 for my Springfield Model 1873, doesn't someone make BP shotshells for the cowboy action shooters? I don't know if I want to buy a bunch of equipment. At least not right now. Fly __________________ I told my wife I was scheduling a mid-life crisis. It was either a Harley or guns. Secretly, I've already decided on guns. :-) Bang... Bang... Bang...

March 15, 2010, 11:37 AM	#6
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	http://www.gadcustomcartridges.com/#shotgun I've bought quite a few for my ancient damascus-barreled SxS and they work just fine. I've also used these light smokeless shells with good results: http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

March 15, 2010, 12:34 PM	#7
OnTheFly Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: SE Nebraska Posts: 859	Hardcase, Thanks a lot. That's just what I was looking for. I actually already had the link to Gad from when I was searching for ammo to put in my Swiss Vetterli, but I didn't think to keep scrolling down for the shotshells. Fly __________________ I told my wife I was scheduling a mid-life crisis. It was either a Harley or guns. Secretly, I've already decided on guns. :-) Bang... Bang... Bang...

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