Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 81353

Year of Manufacture: 1893

Caliber: .40-82 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The sight is loose in its dovetail. The rear sight is missing, its base is still dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The left of the stock is stamped "TRUESDELL" and "MAT". A step has been cut in the front of the comb for the tang sight. There are a series of notches in the comb in front of the buttplate's ang that appear intentionally applied. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches, more notable in the buttstock than the forend. There is a short crack at the rear of the top tang. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Blue finish remains only in well protected areas and around some raised features with other surfaces mostly worn to white. Areas of the receiver have worn to white with others showing the nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester's case hardening of this age. The magazine bracket has some play in its dovetail. There are scattered nicks, scratches and spots of surface oxidation. There is infrequent surface erosion. There are more notable marks on the left barrel flat over the forend at the rear, on the top of the bolt at the rear and on the top of the locking bolts. There is a dent on the bottom-left of the magazine tube forward of the forend, it doesn't look like it would impede the follower, but we do not have enough .40-82 cartridges to properly check. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with a usable slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

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

Box, Paperwork & 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 designed for Winchester by John Moses Browning to handle longer cartridges like the .45-70 Govt., 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 rifle is chambered in .40-82 WCF and shows wear consistent with its age of more than 130 years. The rifle was made in 1893 and is in Very Good overall condition as Antique. The rear sight is missing, but a tang sight is installed. The bore is fair, the mechanics are strong. The receiver shows the nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester case hardening of this age. A previous owner stamped the stock with "TRUESDELL" and "MAT", but we have not been able to tie these to a specific individual. The collectors should have some interest in this rifle, but it is equally suited for restoration and taking back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!