Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Serial Number: 47954

Year of Manufacture: 1890

Caliber: .40-65 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 26", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a v-notch elevator sight dovetailed to 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 & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have evenly scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are very small losses to each side 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 mostly muted or gone to a light patina with some minor surface oxidation. In this writer's opinion, the stocks rate Very Good as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is evenly scattered minor erosion with a few spots of more notable erosion and infrequent minor pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The barrel has generally strong finish throughout. The bottom of the magazine has mostly gone to a light patina with strong finish on the top. The receiver has muted or gone to a light patina around the edges with some strong color in the flats. There are some light nicks, small scratches, and spots of surface oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are generally clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine 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 that this rifle's serial was applied August 4, 1890, produced as a rifle, caliber 40/65 with a round barrel. It was received in warehouse October 23 and shipped November 3, 1890 on order 20607..

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 with a wide number of variations available to the collector today.

This example is a rifle with a 26" round barrel chambered for the .40-65 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. This rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique, showing minor wear given 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 still prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our pictures and good luck!