Winchester Model 1890
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Country
- United States
- Designer
- John Browning
- Cartridge
- .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 WRF
- Action
- Pump-action
- Barrel Length
- 24 in
- Overall Length
- 39.5 in
- Weight
- 5.5 lb
- Capacity
- 15 rounds (.22 Short), 11 rounds (.22 Long/.22 WRF)
- Production Years
- 1890–1932
- Total Produced
- 849,000+
The Winchester Model 1890 holds the distinction of being the first slide-action rifle produced by Winchester Repeating Arms, and it went on to become one of the most successful .22 caliber rifles in American firearms history. Designed by the prolific John Moses Browning, the Model 1890 introduced a pump-action mechanism to the rimfire market that was fast, intuitive, and satisfying to operate. Its visible hammer and exposed tubular magazine gave it a classic profile that became instantly recognizable at shooting galleries, county fairs, and rifle ranges across the country.
Built around a takedown design that allowed the barrel and magazine tube to be separated from the receiver for easy transport and cleaning, the Model 1890 was offered in .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Winchester Rimfire, though not interchangeably within a single rifle. Each gun was chambered for one specific cartridge length. The action is smooth and positive, with a solid lock-up that contributes to the rifle’s reputation for consistent accuracy. The octagonal barrel found on most examples gives the Model 1890 an elegant, old-fashioned appearance that evokes the craftsmanship of nineteenth-century American gunmaking.
The Model 1890 became the undisputed king of the shooting gallery trade, and it is estimated that the vast majority of penny arcade and carnival shooting galleries in the early twentieth century used some variant of this rifle. Its durability under constant use, smooth pump action that even inexperienced shooters could operate quickly, and inherent accuracy made it perfect for the role. Winchester produced approximately 849,000 Model 1890 rifles before discontinuing the model in 1932, when it was succeeded by the streamlined Model 62.
Today, the Model 1890 appeals to collectors of early Winchester firearms and to anyone who appreciates the elegant simplicity of John Browning’s mechanical designs. First-model examples with solid frames, produced before the transition to the takedown configuration, are particularly rare and valuable.