This is an exceptional example of a seldom encountered unused early production Winchester lever action repeating shotgun that was manufactured in 1890. With all the success that Winchester was having with their lever action rifle they decided to produce a similar mechanism shotgun to compliment their rifles. Winchester purchased the patent rights for shotgun design from John M. Browning in 1885 and successfully produced this model from 1887 to 1898 selling approximately 65,000. The barrel is unmarked except for the circular "WP" Winchester proof and "12" in front of the receiver. The left side of the receiver has the large intertwined "WRA" script markings in a circle and the lower tang is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO/--NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.--/PAT. FEB. 16. & JULY 20. 1886". Blue barrel and magazine with single bead sight and casehardened receiver and lever. Smooth forearm and round knob pistol grip stock with a steel checkered buttplate.