Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 37413

Year of Manufacture: 1889

Caliber: .45-90 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-” and at the receiver with “45-90 W.C.F.”. The upper tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-”. The lower tang is marked -“PAT. OCT. 14.1884. / JAN. 20.1885”- and “37413”. 

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 rear sight is a semi-buckhorn "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 included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are notable dings clustered in the left of the belly and on the right above the bottom tang. There are a few tiny losses at edges. The LOP measures 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some scattered nicks, scratches and light oxidation. 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 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. There is some blue along the bottom of the barrel, top of the magazine and around the sights. The bolt has some good finish remaining. There is some other scattered finish on the barrel flats. The receiver has infrequent case color in well protected areas. Some areas of the receiver have a nickel-like appearance, typical of Winchester case hardening of this era. Other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some light oxidation and infrequent spots of surface erosion. 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. The hammer has a half-cock notch. 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: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter indicating that this rifle was received in warehouse December 19, 1889 and shipped December 24, 1889 on order 7384.

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 design was touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals. This rifle is chambered for .45-90 WCF, first offered in this model in 1887, and has a 26" octagonal barrel. The rifle was made in 1889, fairly early in M1886 production, and appears to have seen some use in the field. It is in Very Good overall condition as Antique, retaining some original finish, a fair bore and strong mechanics. This rifle has honest wear for its age, but the action still functions and it would be a nice addition to a Winchester lever gun collection. Please see our photos and good luck!