Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 76610

Year of Manufacture: 1893

Caliber: .38-56 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top sporting "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The elevator is a replacement. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches including scattered small, but deep marks on the front of the forend and in the belly behind the bottom tang. There are some scattered spots of pooled finish and crazing, mostly in the buttstock. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is in the bottom of the barrel and top of the magazine. There is a little other scattered finish in well protected areas or around raised features. Most surfaces of the barrel and magazine have gone to a light patina. Exposed surfaces of the receiver have mostly muted or gone to a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester case color of this age. There are some spots of surface oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including clusters of nicks on the side flats of the barrel in front of the forend. There is some residue build-up around the edges of the stocks. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

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

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Winchester’s first attempt at a lever action rifle capable of handling a rifle cartridge was the Model 1876, which was a heavier framed version of the Model 1873. However, the toggle-link action used in the gun was still limited to short cartridges like the .40-60 and .45-60 Win. The Model 1886 was made to handle longer cartridges like the .45-70 Govt., and the .45-90 Win. and .50-110 Win. cartridges. The Model 1886 utilized a locked-bolt action that was much stronger than the M1876, and some think it is faster and smoother as well. The Winchester Model 1886 was touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals.

This rifle is chambered in .38-56 WCF and has wear consistent with its age. The rifle was made in 1893 and is in Very Good overall condition as Antique. The collectors should have some interest in this rifle as an earlier 1886, but it is equally suited for a collection or restoring and taking back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!