Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 82435

Year of Manufacture: 1893

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-” and at the receiver with “45-70". The lower tang is marked -“PAT. OCT. 14.1884. / JAN. 20.1885”- and “82435”. 

Barrel Length: 24". It is not clear if the barrel was shortened from 30" or if a 24" barrel was installed outside the factory.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall serrated blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The base appears to be a Winchester part, the blade is not original to the base. It is not clear if the sight is original to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight. When down, the sight presents a "V"-notch and the base is graduated from 100-400 yards. When up, the ladder's slider has a "V"-notch and the ladder is graduated from 500-1,000 yards. 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 long capped forend, barrel band with sling swivel, straight grip, straight comb, sling swivel in the belly and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over the storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). We believe that the forend has been shortened to its current length with a hanger installed for the nosecap. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few tiny losses at edges. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered wear and light oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as customized Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The barrel has been altered or replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and infrequent pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The barrel has generally good finish with scattered wear gone to a light patina. The receiver has generally good case color with some muting and minor oxidation, mostly toward the bottom-front. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as customized Antique.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office records search that indicates the serial was applied July 8, 1893, the rifle was received in warehouse as a Musket chambered for 45/70 on September 15, 1893 and shipped the same day on order 22833.

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 .45-70 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 design was touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals.

This is a very intriguing example originally produced as a Musket in 1893, chambered for .45-70 Government. Quite scarce in the Model 1886, the Musket configuration had a 30" barrel, nearly full-length forend, sling swivels and a carbine-style buttplate. The factory records do not indicate that this rifle was any sort of "special" Musket configuration, so it is likely that its 24" barrel has either been altered or replaced. The rear sight is appropriate for a Musket, but the front sight is not. This also strongly indicates that the forend, which has an appropriate cap and barrel band, has been altered. The resulting "short Musket" configuration is quite visually distinctive, and it is very attractive with much of its blue and case color finish remaining. It would be a neat addition to a Winchester collection but should also still prove to be a decent shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!