Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 149319A
Year of Manufacture: 1910
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white-beaded blade dovetailed to a raised base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top square-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sights are not original to the gun. The left of the receiver has been drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight, none present. 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 shotgun-style buttplate. Inlaid to the left of the stock is a Stage Coach Museum of Shakopee, MN medallion. The stocks have some scattered nicks scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a small loss at the right edge of the top tang and a tiny crack at the heel. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some light oxidation and minor erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original, receiver appears to have been polished bright.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine retain generally strong finish. The bolt has light wear along the top. The receiver has been mostly polished bright with a little finish in well protected areas. There is some scattered light oxidation with a few nicks and scratches. There are a couple of patches of surface erosion on the receiver. 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 Good-Very Good condition.
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: 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. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. The rifle has a 24" round barrel and and a shotgun butt. It has been equipped with a set of replacement iron sights with the receiver drilled and tapped to accept a receiver sight, though none is present. At more than 115 years old, it appears to have seen use in the field, having had the receiver polished bright, retaining strong mechanics and a decent bore.
Interestingly, there is an inlaid medallion on the stock from the Stage Coach Museum in Shakopee, Minnesota. It would display well as-is and should make for a fun shooter, whether you're looking to add to a collection or take this classic back out in the field. This is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
