Make: Winchester

Model: 1886 Extra Light Rifle, High Grade

Serial Number: OESLRH 0961

Year of Manufacture: 2000/ Modern

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “U.S. REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / MADE IN JAPAN MIROKU”, The right shoulder of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 EXTRA LIGHT RIFLE” “-WINCHESTER- / LICENSEE” and at the rear with an ovalled “WP” proof. The left of the barrel near the chamber is marked “CAL. .45-70 GOVT”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with ovalled “WP”, the top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1886”. The bottom front of the receiver is marked “OESLRH 0961”. Both sides of the receiver are engraved with broad scrolls as well as panels depicting gilt stags in woodland scenes.

Barrel Length: 22”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade that is dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn square notch elevator sight that is dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered high gloss walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and blued steel crescent buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has no significant wear. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition. The checkering is crisp and the peaks are sharp. There is no visible handling wear. 

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no significant wear or damage, only light operational wear. The screwheads are sharp. The screws are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a rebounding hammer and there is a tang-mounted safety. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in its original red box, safety lock and owner’s manual .

Our Assessment: The 1886 followed up the 1876, providing a much stronger action which was able to withstand larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45-70, the issued rifle cartridge of the U.S. Army at the time. The design would later be shrunk for the model 1892. This modern reintroduction has the same action with a tang-mounted safety. This one appears to have seen very little use, if any. It retains 99% of its metal finish with a great bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to a collection. With its 22” round barrel and .45-70 chambering, this would make a nice hunting rifle that could take just about any game in North America, though it’s a bit beautiful to beet the bushes with. If you’re looking for a .45-70 lever gun, you can’t do much better than this.