Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Year of Manufacture: 1911

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

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

Serial Number: 150470A

Barrel Length: 24", Round

Sights: The front sight is a Marble brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 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 steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. There is some discoloration including a streak along the right of the buttstock. There are cracks at the toe on each side and a tiny crack at the rear of the top tang. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has some finish wear, mostly around the sights. The receiver has more evenly scattered wear. There is some light surface oxidation and nicks and scratches. 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.

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

Box / Accessories: None.

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 rifle is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1903 until the model was discontinued. It has a 24" barrel, shotgun-style buttplate, and full-length magazine tube. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. At nearly 115 years old, it appears to have seen use in the field, with light erosion in the bore, but retaining the majority of its original finish. It would display well, but it should still be up to a few more trips out in the field. This is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!