Make: Winchester

Model: 1886 Takedown

Serial Number: 159051

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1921

Caliber: .33 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left 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”, "MADE IN U.S.A." and below the rear sight with "-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER", "-.33 W.C.F.-". The right of the barrel is marked "-MODEL 1886-". The lower tang is marked “159051 A”. The top tang is marked "WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / MADE IN U.S.A.". 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. 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, 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 black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have some light nicks and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a thin crack at the left-front edge of the wrist toward the bottom. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have generally strong finish. The receiver has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with some finish remaining in protected areas and around raised features. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. 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 1921 with a half-length magazine and 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 more than 100 years old, the rifle appears to have seen responsible use in the field. The stocks have been refinished but a majority of the metal finish remains, the bore is still in nice shape and the mechanics are strong. It should 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!