This antique shotgun has a repaired walnut forearm, and the action does not go into battery. The bore is dark and heavily pitted, with dents in the barrel. It is sold for decorator use only and cannot be fired in its current condition. This shotgun was manufactured pre-1898 and qualifies as an antique, which does not require FFL paperwork. The action was designed and patented by John M. Browning, licensed and manufactured by Winchester, from 1887 until 1901, they made just over 64,000 Model 1887 shotguns, mostly 12 gauge. John Browning designed the Winchester 1886 lever action rifle, Winchester 1894 lever action rifle, the US Model 1911 Colt Automatic Pistol, and a great many other popular sporting and military arms.

The 30" barrel is chambered to accept 10 gauge shot shells. This antique shotgun is designed to shoot black powder shot shells. The bore of this shotgun is rough and heavily pitted. The bead front sight is missing and marks from a vise can be seen around the breech. The barrel has aged to a dark brown patina. There is a large dent at the midway point on the right side of the barrel, along with smaller dents found throughout.

Stocked in traditional American black walnut, the stock has been repaired on the right forearm with a lighter piece of wood. The butt is fitted with a blued checkered steel buttplate. All the steel furniture, action, and barrel have aged to a dark brown patina. The upper and lower tangs both stand proud of the wood. The stock has many marks from over a century of handling.

In our opinion, the exposed hammer is the shotgun's most unusual feature. It takes some practice to use it, since it was intentionally made flush with the frame. It gives you the advantage of a manual hammer, during the last years of the 19th Century, an era when hammerless guns were becoming popular. The serial number, 35xxx, can be seen on the front of the action. Hidden by the lever, the lower tang of the action is stamped Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. New Haven Conn. U.S.A. Pat. Feb 16 & July 20 1886. The Winchester logo is stamped on the left side of the action. This is a unique action, with rotating breech block. Load the five shot magazine tube through the open action, while the lever is lowered.

The action does not go into battery on this shotgun. As soon as the hammer is lowered, the action will pop open and does not stay closed. This shotgun cannot be fired in its current condition. The barrel is dented and heavily pitted. This gun is sold as-is and would make a great decorator piece.