Make: Winchester

Model: 1886 Takedown

Year of Manufacture: 1920 / C&R

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire, W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle

Serial Number: 158467

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 u-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight 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 checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, straight comb, capped forend, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have faint signs of previous handling. The checkering is crisp with light peak wear, but remains generally sharp throughout. There is a small loss in the top left corner of the grip at the receiver. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 or 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel retains generally strong finish throughout. There is light handling wear. There is some scattered discoloration from oxidation. There are some light 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 Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The lever locks up solidly. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire 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 is a nice example of an 1886 with special order features including checkered pistol grip stocks and takedown action. The rifle retains approximately 70% of its metal finish, light wear in the stocks and a great bore. Any 1886 from the original 1886-1928 production run would be collectible, but this example with its special order features, strong mechanics, and great bore will make a fine addition to a Winchester collection.