Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 94775

Year of Manufacture: 1895

Caliber: .40-65 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action Carbine, Tube-Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 22″ Round

Sights: The front sight is a German silver blade pinned in a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight which presents a “V”-notch when folded down and has a “V”-notch on the slider. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel carbine-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. There is a crack in the bottom-front of the forend across the barrel band. There is a repaired chip in the top-front of the wrist on the right. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has mostly gone to a light patina with some areas worn to white. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The carbine retains approximately 15% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine tube have some blue finish remaining in protected areas. The receiver has some strong case color on the left around the saddle ring with a little color on protected areas of the lever and hammer. Most other surfaces have gone to a light patina or worn to white. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, and incomplete. Overall, this carbine is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. We have not fired this carbine. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box / Accessories: This carbine comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter indicating that it was produced as a Carbine chambered for .40-65 WCF, received in warehouse on January 28, 1895 and shipped July 21, 1896 on order number 14668.

Our Assessment: “Traditionally the sum of $50,000 is accepted as the price Winchester paid John Browning for the patent and production rights to what became the Model 1886.”

-R.L. Wilson, “Winchester An American Legend”.

The Model 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It incorporated two vertical locking bolts to the breech, as opposed to the toggle link action of Winchester’s previous lever action designs, which made the action much stronger. There were 10 choices of caliber, and the Model 1886 was produced for nearly 50 years, all the way until 1935. 

This Winchester Model 1886 Carbine features a 22" barrel chambered for the .40-65 WCF cartridge. It shows honest wear consistent with its age, and the included Winchester factory records letter indicates that it is in its original configuration. All Model 1886s are collectible, especially so the carbines, and this example will make a fine addition to your collection.