Make: Winchester
Model: 1886, Takedown
Year of Manufacture: 1902
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine, Takedown Receiver
Serial Number: 127040
Barrel Length: 24?, Round
Sights: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn "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 to accept a peep-sight, none present. The left of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight, none present. The sights are not original to the gun.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, more and more notable in the buttstock. There is a notable scrape/bruise on the left of the buttstock above the belly. The front of the comb has been relieved, likely for a previously installed tang sight. There are a few cracks around the rear edge of the butt. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered nicks, scratches and light oxidation. The left edge has seven small notches that may have been intentionally applied. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case-Hardened Lever and Hammer
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The magazine tube and bracket are not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some pitting in front of the chamber. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 25% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Strongest finish is on the bottom and at the muzzle-end of the barrel with a little in the frame flats, in protected areas, and around raised features. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. The lever loop shows handling wear. There are scattered nicks and scratches. There is some minor surface oxidation. 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 condition as not all parts-original.
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 1902 vintage Model 1886 is a takedown rifle, which allows the user to quickly remove the barrel assembly from the receiver for transport in a case the length of the barrel and has a 24" round barrel. The rifle is fairly light for an 1886 and is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1932 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. This rifle looks to have seen a useful life, at some point having the magazine tube and sights replaced. The rifle is in great shape mechanically, showing wear consistent with its age and use in the field. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors as it is a takedown model. Either way, this is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
