Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 127791

Year of Manufacture: 1902

Caliber: .33 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24", Round, Rapid-Taper (0.940” at receiver, 0.642” at muzzle)

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade in a slotted base dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The front portion of the blade is steel, the rear portion is brass brazed to the front portion. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The set-screw for the notch has a disfigured slot. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.

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. There is a large hollow in the rear face of the buttstock under the buttplate. There is a crack at the heel. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are some marks in the front of the comb from the tang sight. There is some discoloration around the edges where the metal meets wood. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light-moderate wear and fairly well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The barrel markings indicate that the barrel is a replacement, the ovalled “WP” proofs on the barrel and receiver likely indicate alteration or repair at the factory.

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 a little scattered finish, but has mostly worn to white. There is other scattered wear on the barrel and magazine. There is some scattered minor oxidation, mostly in the worn areas. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are generally sharp, the mounting screws for the tang sight are 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 with a 24" round barrel 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 gun shows wear consistent with its age of more than 100 years, retaining 40% original finish, a fair bore and strong mechanics. This is a neat old Winchester that will add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!