Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Year of Manufacture: 1889

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

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

Serial Number: 31716

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a "V"-notch when folded down and 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 stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. There is some weathering along the belly. There are some scattered open grain lines as well as cracks at the edges of the wrist and butt. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus 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 4-5/10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 5% of its metal finish. The strongest finish is on the top of the bolt. There is a little blue finish on the barrel, mostly on the bottom shoulders around the magazine bracket. The receiver has worn to white with a little weak color on the interior. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. There is wear behind the rear sight consistent with a different sight having been installed. There is some scattered light oxidation with infrequent spots of minor erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong 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 Winchester Records letter which indicates its serial number was applied July 12, 1889 as a rifle chambered for 40-65 with an octagonal barrel, received in warehouse July 23, 1889 and shipped July 24, 1889 on order 24126.

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 1889, fairly early in production. It is chambered for the .40-65 WCF cartridge with a 26" octagonal barrel. Interestingly, this example has a Browning Bros. marking on the barrel. Winchester not only paid Browning in cash for his designs, but also provided payment in the form of complete rifles to be sold through his Ogden, Utah store. At more than 135 years old, it appears to have seen use in the field, but retains strong mechanics. It would display well as-is, but it would also be a nice candidate for restoration. This is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!