Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 60741

Year of Manufacture: 1891

Caliber: .45-90 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman beach-style folding sight dovetailed to the front of the barrel, presenting either a post which has lost its white bead or a hooded, beaded post. The rear sight is a "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation. The sights are not original to the gun.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. The buttstock has some discoloration including a streak along the comb. There is a loss in the top-right edge of the forend toward the rear that has been sanded and finished over. There is a small loss in the top-right of the wrist and a thin crack on the left-front. The LOP measures 12 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered oxidation and some minor erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

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 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The receiver has mostly muted or gone to a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester case color of this era. The barrel and magazine have fairly evenly scattered finish wear with most worn areas gone to a light patina. There are scattered spots of light oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks at the sight dovetails on the barrel. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. 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: A Cody Firearms Records Office search is included which indicates this rifle’s serial was applied August 22, received in warehouse September 2 and shipped September 3, 1891 on order 10441.

Our Assessment: The 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It is our favorite Winchester here, certainly the strongest built at the time and function leads to beauty. The 1886 was available in a variety of cartridges over its nearly 40 years of production and, while there were standard configurations, there were also special-order features which led to a wide number of variations available to the collector today.

This example is a rifle with a 26" octagonal barrel chambered for the .45-90 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. This rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique, showing honest wear consistent with its age, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. Altogether, this is a neat example of a Winchester 1886, in nice condition for a 135 year old hunting rifle. It will make a neat addition to a Winchester collection and may even have a few trips in the field left in it. Please see our pictures and good luck!