Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Year of Manufacture: 1896

Caliber: .45-90 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

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

Serial Number: 110325

Barrel Length: 26", Round

Sights: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester Express sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; one leaf is marked "50", another "2" and the middle leaf has broken off. 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 smooth steel shotgun-style buttplate. There is a sling eyelet mounted to the forend cap, there is a hole in the belly where another eyelet was likely previously installed. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches, most notable in the left of the forend. There is a tiny crack at the point of the buttplate's tang. The forend is fit well to the metal, but the buttstock is shy to the tangs and buttplate. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered oxidation and some erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as refinished 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 5/10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 7% of its metal finish. There is some blue around the edges of the forend and magazine. There is a little blue at the rear of the bolt. There is some case color showing on the top of the trigger guard and front face of the hammer. The receiver has some areas gone to a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester case hardening of this age on the exerior, with some good color on the interior. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white with scattered surface oxidation and minor erosion. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. There is a more notable scratch on the right of the barrel at the muzzle. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

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: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Museum Show Search form which indicates its serial number was applied August 29, 1896 as a rifle chambered for 45-90 with a Winchester Express sight, 1/2 magazine and shogun butt, shipped September 21, 1896 on order 18985.

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 1896, chambered for the .45-90 WCF cartridge with a 26" round barrel. It was special-ordered with a half-length magazine, shotgun butt, and Winchester Express rear sgiht. Interestingly, this example's markings indicate it was originally retailed by Boss & Co. in London, England. Boss touts themselves as London's oldest gunmaker and is among the most prestigious makers of British "Best" guns. At nearly 130 years old, it appears to have seen use in the field, but retains strong mechanics. It would make a wonderful addition to any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!