Make: Winchester

Model: 1886 Takedown

Serial Number: 141456

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1906

Caliber: .33 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)

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. PAT. OCT. 14.1884. JAN. 20.1885” and at the receiver with “33 W.C.F.". The lower tang is marked “141456”. The top tang is marked "MODEL 1886 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK". There are Winchester proofs on the chamber ring and the top-rear of the barrel.

Barrel Length: 24", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel, not original to the gun. The rear sight is an odd elevator sight with a hooded "V"-notch. The hood and notch are one piece, integral to the base. 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 hard rubber Winchester buttplate. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings in the buttstock. There is a chip-loss at the toe. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with a matching loss at the toe, and generally well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most notable finish wear is in the bottom of the receiver, the tangs, the magazine cap and the magazine bracket. There is some scattered more minor wear. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches and some minor surface oxidation. 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 Very 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: None.

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 a takedown from 1906 with a 24" round barrel chambered for .33 W.C.F. 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, the rifle appears to have seen use in the field and is equipped with an intriguing rear sight. The rifle still has a decent bore and strong mechanics, it may still prove worthy to head back out in the field. Of course, no Winchester collection would be complete without an 1886 or two. Please see our photos and good luck!