Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 133942A. The “A” suffix in the serial number denotes a design/production change by Winchester during the manufacturing process of the Model 1886.

Year of Manufacture: 1904

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

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

Barrel Length: 24" Round

Sights: The front sight is a Marble beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch elevator sight 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 a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. There is a hole in the belly for a sling stud (none present) and there is a sling stud mounted to the bottom of the nosecap. There is a minor loss at the hole in the belly. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has mostly worn to white with some very minor surface oxidation and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition. The letter indicates that the buttplate was originally rubber, but the fit may indicate this is an error in the records. 

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor finish wear with more notable wear on the bottom of the receiver. There are scattered light nicks and scratches with infrequent minor oxidation. The left receiver flat has a couple of patches of minor erosion that have been scrubbed out. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots, and there are tool marks around some screw heads. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

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

Box / Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester factory records letter indicating it was received in warehouse on May 23, 1905 and shipped September 11, 1905 on order number 25837 as a rifle, 33 caliber, round barrel, plain trigger, 1/2 magazine and shotgun butt with rubber buttplate.

Our Assessment: “Traditionally the sum of $50,000 is accepted as the price Winchester paid John Browning for the patent and production rights to what became the Model 1886.”

-R.L. Wilson, “Winchester An American Legend”.

The Model 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It incorporated two vertical locking bolts to the breech, as opposed to the toggle link action of Winchester’s previous lever action designs, which made the action much stronger. There were 10 choices of caliber, and the Model 1886 was produced for nearly 50 years, all the way until 1935. The .33 WCF chambering was the smallest caliber offered, and introduced for the Model 1886 in 1902. Winchester cataloged it as the “.33 Caliber Winchester Smokeless Model 1886“. .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. This rifle is chambered in .33 WCF, with a 24" barrel, factory half-length magazine tube, and steel shotgun-style buttplate. Though the included factory records letter indicates its shotgun buttplate was hard rubber, the fit may indicate this is an error in the records. This elegant old Model 1886 shows the handling and age wear that the passage of 120 years and some field use imparts. It would be a great option whether you’re looking to add to a collection or take this classic back out in the field.