Winchester Model 90 .22 short.

The Winchester Model 1890 is a classic slide-action (pump-action) repeating rifle, designed by John and Matthew Browning in 1888 and introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1890. It was Winchester's first successful slide-action .22 rimfire rifle and quickly became one of the most popular firearms for general plinking, target shooting, and gallery use—earning it the nickname "gallery gun." Production ran from 1890 to 1932, with approximately 849,000 units made, though demand lingered until stocks were cleared in 1941. The model was eventually succeeded by the Winchester Model 62.

This configuration—.22 Short caliber with a 24-inch octagon barrel—is one of the most iconic and common variants. The .22 Short was the original chambering, designed specifically for low-recoil, high-volume shooting, and the octagonal barrel gave it a distinctive, elegant profile reminiscent of earlier lever-action Winchesters. Nearly all Model 1890s feature octagon barrels, though very late productions (post-1920s) occasionally had round ones.

Key Specifications

Feature

Details

Caliber

.22 Short (rimfire; non-interchangeable with .22 Long, .22 LR, or .22 WRF—barrels are marked for the specific caliber only)

Action

Slide-action (pump), top-ejecting

Barrel

24-inch full octagon (standard; some rare 18-inch or half-octagon variants exist)

Magazine

Tubular under-barrel, 18-inch tube holds ~15 rounds

Overall Length

~40 inches

Weight

~5.75–6 lbs (unloaded)

Stock

Plain walnut straight grip (pistol grip optional on later models); crescent steel buttplate common

Sights

Blade front (dovetailed), semi-buckhorn rear (adjustable on later models)

Finish

Blued barrel and action; case-hardened receiver (early models)

Production Variants

The Model 1890 evolved in three main models, all compatible with the .22 Short/octagon barrel setup:

First Model (1890–1892): Solid-frame, case-hardened receiver, fixed rear sight. ~15,000 produced. Serial numbers on lower tang only. Rare and valuable due to low production.

Second Model (1892–~1910): Takedown design (barrel unscrews from receiver for easy transport), case-hardened or blued receiver, adjustable rear sight. Most common variant; ~400,000+ made.

Third Model (~1910–1932): Takedown, fully blued receiver, refined internals. Includes .22 LR addition in 1919. Model renamed "Model 90" around serial #640,000 in 1919.

Special orders were available, like checkered stocks, pistol grips, or engraved receivers, which can significantly boost collector value.

Historical Context and Use

Intended as a rimfire successor to the Model 1873, the 1890 was optimized for .22 cartridges with its smooth slide action and reliable feeding. The .22 Short version was ideal for indoor galleries, varmint hunting, and youth training due to its mild recoil and affordability (original price ~$16 in 1890, equivalent to ~$550 today). It saw heavy use in shooting arcades, farms, and competitions, leading to many well-worn survivors. Despite its popularity, high-condition examples are scarce today because of extensive field use.

Functions as it should, and in perfect fire-able condition. The bore remains in good to very good condition. 

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