Treasures from Our West: Winchester Model 1887 lever-action shotgun

Originally featured in Points West magazine in Spring 2017

Winchester Model 1887 lever-action shotgun

This Winchester Model 1887 lever-action shotgun, designed by John Browning, is serial number 1. The Winchester Repeating Arms Co. had made their reputation with their 1873 lever-action rifle—often called the “Gun that Won the West”—and hoped to capitalize on their resulting name recognition with the lever-action shotgun. This model, a 12-gauge, was one of the first truly successful repeating shotguns on the market.

Although created as an exhibition piece, Winchester instead sold it to a man by the name of Henry Ford, then a 24-year-old engineer in Detroit. The future automobile industry giant in turn presented the shotgun to Harvey Firestone, who would found the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1900.

Through its early histories, automobile technology has frequently followed or paralleled advancements in firearms technology. This Model 1887 lever-action shotgun, in pairing an innovative design in a firearm with ownership by two innovators in the automobile industry, makes for a unique and significant piece in our firearms collection.

Winchester Model 1887 lever-action shotgun, serial number 1, ca. 1887. Museum Purchase. 1984.2.1

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