Make: Winchester

Model: 1886, Takedown

Serial Number: 146964

Year of Manufacture: 1908

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Rifle, Takedown

Markings: The left side of the bottom tang is marked “801 XXX”. The stock wrist upper tang inlet is marked “801”. The left side of the upper tang is marked “17” with a triangle. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1886 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The left side of the receiver is engraved with the Initials “BBL”. The left side of the barrel at the chamber is marked “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER”, “W.C.F.” with a Winchester Proof. The top of the receiver is marked with a Winchester proof as well. The left side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.PAT.OCT.14.1884.JAN.20.1885.”. The bottom tang is marked “146964”.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman #4 ivory hunting front sight. The rear sight is a U-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the top rear of the barrel. The top of the barrel is wavy serrated for glare reduction. The pattern on top of the barrel is original as the Winchester proof is offset to accommodate.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered Deluxe Grade XXX walnut featuring a nose cap, a straight grip, a straight comb with cheek piece, sling eyes front and rear, and a Silvers rubber buttpad (correct for this period of production when ordered with a pad). The buttpad is dry and cracked throughout with a few losses on the toe. The wood shows mostly light and some moderate nicks, dings, scratches, compression and some minor handling and storage marks. There are no cracks. The stocks appear to be original. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks are in Fine overall condition. We believe the configuration is original but the serial number is outside of the range for factory records. The assembly number on the stock matches the assembly number on the receiver.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Most of the finish is original. Some spots have been treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very faint erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish shows splotches of cold blue on the sides of the receiver and most of the barrel has a strong and complete finish where there are some pits that are darkened with cold blue touch ups. The side of the receiver has been engraved through the finish with initials and then cold blued over. There are scattered nicks, scratches and handling marks. There is erosion around the edges of the receiver. There are some “takedown” marks under the barrel. The screw heads are well-defined. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half cock safety position. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.

Box, Paperwork & 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 is a takedown rifle, which allows the user to quickly remove the barrel assembly from the receiver for transport in a case the length of the barrel. It is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1902 until the model was discontinued. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. This Special Order 1886 has XXX checkered stocks, with a very rare straight comb cheek piece. It has much of its finish with spots touched up with cold blue and some seldom erosion on the edges of the receiver as well as parts of the lever. All in all, this is a gorgeous old Winchester, perfect for any collection.