Nice collection!

 

That is a good find on that 3rd Model 1890. The sights alone are about $400 in today's world, and finding one with a good bore is always the challenge on the 1890 rifles.

I bought my 1890 in 22 Short several years ago, for much the same reasons; it has a pristine bore and has a Lyman 2A tang sight and a Lyman Beech #5B folding front sight. Great sights and an excellent bore sealed the deal. Here it is (middle rifle) with two semi-deluxe Winchesters that wear the same sights:

Enjoy your old 1890. My 22 Short is still capable of 50 yard head shots on cottontails with its upgraded sights. I would bet yours will do the same!
All the best---

BRP

 

That is a good find on that 3rd Model 1890. The sights alone are about $400 in today's world, and finding one with a good bore is always the challenge on the 1890 rifles.

I bought my 1890 in 22 Short several years ago, for much the same reasons; it has a pristine bore and has a Lyman 2A tang sight and a Lyman Beech #5B folding front sight. Great sights and an excellent bore sealed the deal. Here it is (middle rifle) with two semi-deluxe Winchesters that wear the same sights:

Enjoy your old 1890. My 22 Short is still capable of 50 yard head shots on cottontails with its upgraded sights. I would bet yours will do the same!
All the best---

BRP

Thank you for the information, you have a couple very nice rifles there. You wouldn’t happen to know what type of sights would have been correct for this time frame? I could be way off but from my research the the rear sight should be the marked Lyman on the bottom of the post where it meets the hinge with no patent dates which this one has and should be marked with a WS stamped on the bottom (I haven’t looked there yet). The front sight does look like it has two patent dates across the top of the sight but it is in need of a good cleaning to see better.

 

I love that semi-deluxe 1890. It has just the right amount of wear. Very handsome!

 

That "right amount of wear" includes a frosted bore, which despite its pitted nature, still spins the 22 WRF bullets with sufficient twist to give "minute of rabbit" sized groups, if you don't care very much where on the rabbit the bullet hits! But frosted bore or not, its rarity convinced me to take it home from a gun show more than 30 years ago.

All the best---
BRP

 

I'm not at all well-versed on the subtle changes on the Lyman tang sights over time, but your Lyman #1 tang sight looks spot on perfect for your rifle's age. And whether or not the factory installed it, it is exactly what any serious rifleman would have put on the rifle, then OR now. Like your rifle, the sights on my 1890 in 22 Short appear to have been there from day one. Mine is too late to get a Cody letter, but yours may still be in the range for a Cody museum letter.

All the best---
BRP

 

The only semi-deluxe I have with a tang peep sight happens to letter. I can get better photos if interested. Here is a zoomed in screen shot of the only two photos I have of it on my phone:

 

More pics are ALWAYS better.
And a few more of the deluxe above it with the "H" checkering I would like to see!
BRP

 

More pics are ALWAYS better.
And a few more of the deluxe above it with the "H" checkering I would like to see!
BRP

Completely agree with all of the above😉

 

Some are better than others. The bottom is about 97-98% overall. The rest are well used and well loved. I have a hard time not bringing them home if the price is right.

ALL have great bores and are shooters!

 

OK. I am green with envy!
What a marvelous collection of deluxe 1890 rifles. What calibers are they?

BRP

 

There are some very nice 1890/90s shown here. I know how hard it is to find that nice and quality rifles. I have a reasonable example of all the calibers, but the deluxes and special order rifles are outstanding. I am feeling a little tingle following this thread. I now want a deluxe and a solid frame and an engraved and a plated.

 

Top to bottom:

1) 22 WRF
2) 22 WRF
3) 22 Short
4) 22 WRF
5) 22 Long Rifle

I also have what I believe is a true gallery gun in half nickel. 22 short caliber. Triangular loading gate. I believe it to be authentic mostly do to its wear and tear and it NOT being sold to me as a gallery gun, but more of a “beater”.

I suppose that means I need a 22 Long!
And a smooth pistol gripped variation.
And one with a factory cheek piece (which I’ve located).
And a case color hardened frame variation (especially the first model).
And a factory engraved while I’m at it.

The last couple won’t likely ever happen, but a guy can dream!

 

The pursuit of dreams is what it's all about!
Which is why Christmas Eve was always better than Christmas morning when we were little kids. In the dream, anything is possible. That's what keeps me going to gun shows and poking my head into pawn shops filled with mostly junk, and stopping the truck at garage sales to see if they might have a gun or two--- because you never know where lightning might strike.

Dream on! Today just might be the day.

BRP

 

Just to keep this good thread going I'm adding some pictures of my 1890s.

One of each caliber.

My favorite .22 Long Rifle

Some of their cheaper cousins, the 1906s

 

You have some very high quality 1890 rifles. I have also always been very fond of the '06 Expert models too, of which you have been doubly blessed.
Thanks for keeping the ball rolling!

All the best---

BRP

 

I’ve looked idly for decades for the “right” 1906 expert to add to the collection. Still looking. It’s always strange how some things prove elusive and some things drop at your feet.

The hunt is a LARGE part of the appeal in most of these guns.

 

You mention special order guns. I have a Winchester 1890, 22 short only. It’s been in my family since 1950. My dad gave $4 of gasoline for it. It is one of only 2 built with an 18 inch octagon barrel by special order. Winchester records says one of them had the rear sight dovetailed 3 1/4 inches from the receiver. That’s the one I have. The collection value is gone, as we hot blued it in 1962 and replaced some springs and screws! It looks good still. We didn’t know it was one of two. I don’t know how to post pictures on here or I would show it. It has a lot of sentimental value to me as both my older brothers and my dad all hunted with it. Sorry for butting in, just thought I would share. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum, glad you chimed in. Hopefully you will figure out how to post pictures, I know I would love to see your 1890

 

Thanks for the welcome! I’ll figure out how to post pics! Look forward to reading the conversations!

 

I misspoke about the rear sight on the 18” barrel on the 1890 pump. The front sight is dovetailed and the rear sight is fixed 3 1/4 inches in front of the receiver. I think I’ve been up too long!