Make: Winchester

Model: 1886 Extra Light Takedown

Serial Number: 134848

Year of Manufacture: 1905

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with 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 “45-70". The lower tang is marked -“PAT. OCT. 14.1884. / JAN. 20.1885”- and “134848”. There are Winchester proofs on the chamber ring and the top-rear of the barrel.

Barrel Length: 22", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-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.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered hard rubber Winchester shotgun-style buttplate. The front of the comb has been relieved for the tang sight. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable gouge at the left-rear of the forend with cracking at the front and rear of the forend on the left. The wood has darkened considerably. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear, a loss at the toe, and generally well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 3% of its metal finish. There is only a little finish in well protected areas or around raised features. Most surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are scattered nicks and scratches with some minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with a usable slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.

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 it was produced as a rifle in .45-70 with a 22” round barrel, Extra Light, Lyman rear sight, rubber shotgun butt, takedown, received in warehouse August 4, 1905 and shipped August 5, 1905 on order number 19671.

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 .45-70 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 example is an Extra Light Takedown with a 22" round barrel chambered for .45-70 Government and a shotgun butt. Originally developed by Springfield Armory for the 1873 Trapdoor rifle, the .45-70 has been given a new lease on life with the development of tube magazine-safe projectiles and smokeless powder loads, enjoying something of a renaissance among big-bore fans. This is a classic old Winchester that will display well with its "been there, done that" appearance. It also has a number of desirable special-order features confirmed as authentic by the Winchester factory records. Please see our photos and good luck!