Description

Highly Collectible Winchester Model 90 (Third Model) – Original .22 LR

Designed by the legendary John M. Browning, the Winchester Model 1890 (later officially designated the Model 90) is arguably the most famous slide-action rimfire rifle in American history. Serving as the quintessential “gallery gun” at traveling carnivals and a trusted companion for small-game hunters, the Model 90 was praised for its incredibly fast action and pinpoint accuracy.

This specific rifle is a late-production Third Model (Serial Number 822022, placing its manufacture near the end of the rifle’s production run in the late 1920s/early 1930s). What makes this particular example exceptionally rare and highly coveted by Winchester collectors is its chambering. While the vast majority of Model 90s were chambered in .22 Short, .22 Long, or .22 WRF, Winchester did not introduce the .22 Long Rifle option until 1919. This rifle features a factory original .22 LR chambering—it is not a bored-out conversion or a relined barrel, but a true, factory-stamped .22 LR Model 90.

Product Specifications

• Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company (New Haven, Connecticut)

• Model: Model 90 (Third Model Configuration)

• Serial Number: 822022 (Matching serials on receiver and trigger guard assembly)

• Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) – Factory Original Chambering

• Action: Slide-Action / Pump-Action (Takedown design)

• Capacity: 11 Rounds (Tubular under-barrel magazine)

• Barrel Length: 24 inches (Traditional heavy octagonal profile)

• Sights: Original Winchester sporting sights (Dovetailed front blade, adjustable rear notch).

• Furniture: Traditional American walnut straight-grip buttstock paired with the classic ribbed “corncob” slide handle. Features a traditional blued steel crescent buttplate.

• Finish: Original factory blued carbon steel (Third Models transitioned away from the case-hardened receivers of the first two generations).

Condition Report

This Winchester Model 90 is an authentic, honest survivor. It displays a handsome, working-gun patina consistent with nearly a century of age, but remains structurally sound and highly collectible.

• Finish: Retains approximately 65-70% of its original factory bluing, which has gracefully transitioned into a smooth, even plum-brown patina in high-handling areas like the receiver, slide tube, and the sharp edges of the octagonal barrel. The factory barrel stampings—including the critical “- 22 LONG RIFLE -” designation—are crisp, legible, and unmolested. There is no active rust or deep pitting.

• Bore: Very Good. Given the corrosive nature of early rimfire ammunition, finding a pristine bore on a Model 90 is incredibly rare. This bore remains bright with visible, intact rifling. There is some expected light frosting typical of its age, but it has not been shot out or heavily pitted.

• Wood: The walnut stock and ribbed slide handle are structurally solid. There are no major cracks or splits. The wood displays a beautiful, dark vintage patina with standard scattered handling marks, superficial dings, and surface compressions from decades of use. The wood-to-metal fit remains tight and flush.

• Mechanics: The slide action functions smoothly with that distinct, mechanical Winchester “clack.” The takedown screw loosens by hand, allowing the rifle to split into two halves perfectly, and it locks back together tightly with no receiver wobble. The hammer drops cleanly, and the extractor remains sharp.

Included Accessories

• Storage: Ships in a generic padded soft rifle case to ensure protection during transport.

• Note: This listing includes the rifle only. Due to its vintage nature, there is no original factory packaging or paperwork included.