Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Year of Manufacture: 1903

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Serial Number: 130804

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel, the sight is not original to the rifle. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down with a "V"-notch slider on the ladder graduated from 2-10 in hundreds of yards, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. 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 capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The forend has a repaired break from the left-rear across the bottom to the right-front. There are small losses at the top-front of the forend on each side and a few tiny losses around the rear edge. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished and repaired.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is scattered light wear on the receiver. The hammer and lever have a little case color, but have mostly muted. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots, some screws appear to be replacements. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

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

Box / Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It is our favorite Winchester here, certainly the strongest built at the time and function leads to beauty. The 1886 was available in a variety of cartridges over its nearly 40 years of production and, while there were standard configurations, there were also special-order features which led to a wide number of variations available to the collector today. This rifle is from 1903, chambered for the .45-70 Gov't cartridge with a 26" octagonal barrel. The .45-70 has been given a new lease on life with the advent of smokeless powder and projectile designs that give Spitzer performance while being safe for use in tubular magazines. While its stocks have been refinished and repaired, this rifle retains the great majority of its new metal finish, a wonderful bore and strong mechanics. It would make a wonderful addition to any collection and should still be a good shooter for the lucky winner. Please see our pictures and good luck!