Make: Winchester

Model: 1886

Year of Manufacture: 1906

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

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

Serial Number: 140709

Barrel Length: 24", Round

Sights: The front sight is a Lyman white beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. 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, 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 checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. There are a few spots of pooled finish at the right-rear of the forend. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in Very 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 50% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges with fairly evenly scattered finish wear. The lever and hammer have mostly muted. There are some scattered spots of light oxidation, nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus 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 half-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 120 years old, it appears to have seen use in the field, showing finish wear and light erosion in the bore. 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!