Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 155257

Year of Manufacture: 1917

Caliber: .33 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24", Round

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white-beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top sporting "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered hard rubber Winchester shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is finish wear in the handling areas and around some edges. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear and generally well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The balance is mostly in the receiver which has almost completely worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some weak finish in the bolt and a little on the lever and hammer. Strongest finish is in the barrel and magazine which show some scattered light wear, the right of the magazine has mostly gone to a light patina. There are some spots of light surface oxidation, most notable in the left receiver flat. There are some light nicks, scuffs and small scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

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

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.

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 .45-90 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 Winchester Model 1886 was touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals.

This example is a rifle chambered in .33 W.C.F. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. The rifle has a 24" round barrel, flat-top sporting rear sight, half-length magazine and a shotgun butt. The gun shows wear consistent with its age of more than 100 years, retaining 40% original finish, a fair bore and strong mechanics. The rifle's special features will be of interest to the collectors, but it is a shame that the record for this serial number is not available. In any case, this is a neat old Winchester that will add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!