Winchester model 88

**nukeantz** · October 9th, 2010, 08:25 PM

I have a chance to purchase a Winchester model 88, the serial number is 127420A. The way I see it it was made in 1961, but the suffix A bothers me. In other guns I have this means that the numbers have gone around and started over again with a letter being added at the end of the number. If this is not the case why was the A added to the serial number and will it effect the price if I ever go to resell it?

Thanks,
Ken

**loknload** · October 9th, 2010, 09:27 PM

Do you have a source telling you that that seriel number is from 1961?
My Winchester price guide book does not list the 88 in it.

**nukeantz** · October 9th, 2010, 09:51 PM

Proofhouse.com, but it doesn't talk about letters after the serial numbers

**ihunt49** · October 9th, 2010, 09:57 PM

http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional...erl_88_100.htm

SERIAL NUMBER LETTERS : Prior to 1968 no serial number prefix was used. As the result of the Gun Control Act of 1968, the letter "H" was assigned to the model 88s while "A" was used as a suffix to the model 100 serial numbers. You may see a suffix to a serial number of "A" on some earlier guns. This appears to be possibly a duplicate or replaced receiver.

Winchester Model 88 serial numbers
Year S/N Year S/N Year S/N
1955 1 - 18,378 1956 36,756 1957 55,134
1958 73,512 1959 91,590 1960 110,268
1961 128,651 1962 169,838 1963 148,858
1964 160,307 1965 162,699 1966 192,595
1967 212,416 1968 230,199 1969 H239,599
1970 H258,229 1971 H266,784 1972 H279,014
1973 H283,718

**nukeantz** · October 9th, 2010, 10:08 PM

So what does that mean? Does it effect the value? I don't know much about these guns and do not want to put more money in it than I could get out of it. If it is a replaced receiver will that effect the value of the gun???

Thanks,
Ken