1890 Winchester rebuild

[coyote nose]

Well about 10 years ago I rebuilt an 1886 Winchester in 33 WCF and posted the end result here. I still get occasional remarks on that gun from this forum and mentioned last week that I also rebuilt an 1890 Winchester. Was recommended to post that here as others may like to see it.
I absolutely love the 1890 Winchester pump 22 and really wanted an accurate new looking pistol grip model. Originals in high condition are through the roof, plus I didn't want a safe queen so figured the only way to get what I want was to make my own. So step one was to get a suitable receiver. Fortunately it didn't take long, finding at a gun show a nice receiver with internals with a sewer pipe barrel on it. No wood or magazine tube. $50 later it was mine. Removed the barrel (and sold it as a reline candidate at a gun show for $10). Looked online and got a few detailed photos and dimensions of the pistol grip model then made out of 1/2" steel a pattern to use to swage the lower tang to. Here is the receiver and swage form:

project1-start.JPG

Next heated up the lower tang to near red heat and slowly formed it to the pattern, using a brass rod and hammer. Took awhile but by working carefully achieved the desired form. This moved the tang screw hole out of the proper angle and position so I had a piece of steel welded inside the tang then had to drill/tap that for the tang screw. Here is the finished receiver, you can see the steel added to the lower tang to allow the tang screw to thread.

project1-t1.jpg

Had a lot of internal parts in my projects box, picked out the best ones I had. For the trigger/sear/hammer I made a fixture and tried various combinations until I found one with good trigger pull and nice condition. Actuating arms are ALWAYS found worn with 2 flats on them, these were laser welded up and machined round. For the buttplate I had a few original plus one new casting. decided to use up the casting on this project. So I am left now with the tale of caliber selection, barrel, and wood.
I REALLY wanted 22 BB cap, but the only source is RWS and they go for $100 per 100 rounds when I see them at gun shows!!!! Figured the rifle would hold maybe 40-50 shots and I can enjoy shooting it downstairs. Had to say no though due to lack of ammo. Next up was 22 Long, my favorite rimfire cartridge but here all the " expert" gun writers have ruined that choice, all of them saying how terrible the 22 long was (tell that to dozens of squirrels I took with a Remington 521X). As a result 22 Long is difficult to find and impossible to find in standard velocity. 22WRF is a viable option but of all the 1890s owned, the only one I have left is in that caliber. So I went with 22 short, the original caliber for this particular receiver. Had a decent 22 short barrel in the parts bin and put it on. Nope. Terrible accuracy. My standard is 5 shots bench at 50 yards with tang sights should do around 1 1/2" minimum. This did 4" or 5". So I placed an order with Green Mountain Barrel company for a blank....and waited...and waited... After a couple of years decided to buy a commercially made new barrel correct with all markings. Paid about 300$ for it and.....better but still not good enough. About 3 to 4" at 50 yards. Sold this barrel for $200 so had to eat $100.
About a year later I get a notice from Green Mountain asking me if I still am interested in a 22 barrel blank as they have had one all along in their store (but not in their warehouse!!??!!) Kind of odd. I say yes and get the blank. Up now is milling it octagon (looks twisted in the photo but that is a lighting effect):

project2.jpg

then threading :

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Then chambering. I do this by hand using the lathe and a lathe milling attachment as a holding device:

project11.jpg

Tried this out....STILL accuracy was not what I wanted. Realized these modern barrels are probably given a twist for 22 Long Rifle and not for 22 short, so gave up and chambered it in 22 LR and finally got decent results. Another caliber change!
Next up is wood. Noticed all 1890s with the round forearm looked good but were a bit too small diameter for me. I never liked the big forearms on the Model 62 (which replaced the 1890/1906 Models). So rather than buy one already made simply turned one in the lathe but made it 0.100" bigger in diameter. That little bit really helped in handling the gun but kept it looking classic. Got a 90% finished stock blank on eBay and went to work fitting that to the tangs and buttplate. Got a pistol grip cap online and fit that too.
Running out of photo space so will continue with metal prep and woodwork below.

[coyote nose]

Getting case coloring is a bit costly, but half the cost is in the polishing. So did that part myself, took awhile of course and had to think through each part but was satisfied in the end and shipped it off to Turnbull as I LOVE their case colors. While waiting to get those parts back I cut letters on the barrel and polished it up for bluing. Also decided to install a Model 1906 carrier so 22 short, long, or long rifle could be used in it (1890s are selective guns, only shooting the cartridge specified due to the carrier). Final sanded the wood and finished it, then sent it to my brother who can cut checkering. I tried this several times, with the result always looking like Dennis The Menace did it, so didn't even bother trying on this project. Here is the wood with the red spirit stain drying. What is amazing here is the sun is shining in Ohio!:

project17.JPG

Got the parts back, assembled the gun, and started testing. Believe it or not Aquila Pistol Match is the best ammo in this rifle, averaging 1 1/2" 5 shot 50 yard groups. No, not bolt action accurate but certainly good enough for me. Sometimes it shoots sub 1" groups with other ammo but not consistently. And this is no safe queen. Use it for offhand woods walk matches, take it out in any weather. A few photos

project22.JPG

Here it is out hunting for squirrels in the rain:

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Of course I definitely need a cherry wood box for it. Used this one summer when I took it out west to plink with in the Wyoming mountains:

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If you look close you can see a cleaning rod with a purpleheart wood handle, two brass oil/solvent flasks turned on the lathe, as well as period correct boxes.
Finally the complete rifle:

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If I recall total outlay for the rifle was just around $950 with well over half of that being case coloring and the Green Mountain barrel. Labor of course was quite a bit but was free, kind of. My time is worth quite a bit to me as I always have about a dozen projects going on at once. Frankly I fully understand why Turnbulls rifles cost so much. Still this rifle has given so much joy using it. Sure hope I can be forgiven for wanting to show it off here.

[Ysabel Kid]

Wow! Awesome craftsmanship!!!

[Pat C]

I believe you showed this on rimfire central. Nice quality on par with original.

[Grizz]

that's Super Fine. thanks for the pictures.

[Walt]

Yep, you are definitely forgiven, Coyote Nose. Very impressive....a gorgeous gun. Thank you!

I bought a model 62A made in 1949 a few weeks ago, took it out for my first time today and am very pleased with it.

[coyote nose]

Thanks guys. Pat C yes, but it was the Colt forum not rimfire central...I'll probably do a little post there too. Walt, that 62A is basically the same gun with only a few modernization's like coil springs and also some for easier manufacturing. How about a picture of your 62A?. I was offered a 62A in the box (!) for 700 about 10 years ago and declined. I considered it a great deal since it was in great shape (the gun, the box had wear and tear) but frankly one just can't buy every deal that comes along.

[Walt]

Coyote Nose, this is my 62A. I bought it for under $500 at a gunshop which specializes in semi autos. It was stashed in a back corner.

[348win]

Again

Excellent Work

I admire your skills and determination! The payoff if outstanding.

[Pat C]

Many old reworked or stripped down old Winchesters can be brought back to great working tools that are nice to look at and enjoy. I've done a few standard rifles and have a few stashed to do in future. Hopefully if I get in the mood.

[.45colt]

Be Still My Heart.....Wow!. Thank You. .

[Mark in MO]

That is beautiful. You did a great job. Not gonna lie, I'm a little envious.

[Bill in Oregon]

What wonderful workmanship you did on that classic Winchester wand!
My first rifle was a worn-out, shot-out Model 1890 and I loved it to pieces.

[Wiresguy]

What a beauty! Thank you for sharing.

Since Envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, I'll just say that I really admire your skill and the results you achieved. Neat old gun.