Winchester Model 1886 Takedown, .33 WCF, MFD 1920 Blue & Case Color Lever Action Rifle & Lyman Sight

SOLD FOR: $1,328.58
LSB#: 
190314DC08

Make: Winchester

Model: 1886, Takedown

Year of Manufacture: 1920

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle

Serial Number: 157344

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.” forward of the rear sight, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” under the rear sight and “33 W.C.F.” behind the rear sight. The top of the barrel at the rear is marked with a circled “WP” proof. The top of the chamber ring is marked with an ovalled “WP” proof, the top tang is marked “MODEL 86 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The bottom tang is marked “157344” behind the lever.

Barrel Length: 24″

Sights: The front sight is a Marble Sheard beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-toppped, “U”-notch leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel with the notch fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled to accept a peep-sight. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman #38 receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester Repeating Arms Co. shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light compressions, drag lines, scratches and scuffs with areas of thinning finish. There are no chips or cracks. The wood is generally proud to the metal with some areas flush or slightly shy. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with well defined checkering and lettering, in about Very Good-plus condition. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 40% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine tube have scattered light wear, scratches and scuffs, with operational wear from disassembly on the bottom of the barrel from the takedown lever and operational wear at the rear sight elevator from sliding. Some of the worn areas show very light surface oxidation and some pinprick erosion. The receiver, barrel extension and lever have mostly worn to white with patches of nicks and dings on each receiver flat at the bottom-front, scattered light surface erosion, scratches, scuffs and spots of light discoloration from oxidation. The screw heads are mostly sharp with a few showing light tool marks and a couple slightly disfigured with useable slots. The top tang screw is likely a replacement based on its distinctly strong finish. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The mainspring feels a little bit light compared to other ’86 rifles we have seen, but falls with enough force that it should have no problem popping primers. The trigger is crisp. The lever locks up tight. The hammer has a half-cock position. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box / Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed Lyman receiver sight.

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 avialble to the collector today. This 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 at just under 8 lbs. and is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1902 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 long and useful life with about 40% of its metal finish remaining, though it has surprisingly light wear in the stocks and a great bore with strong mechanics. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors as it is a takedown which was a special-order feature. Either way, this is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R rifle can be transferred/sold in California.

Winchester Model 1886 Takedown, .33 WCF, MFD 1920 Blue & Case Color Lever Action Rifle & Lyman Sight
Winchester Model 1886 Takedown, .33 WCF, MFD 1920
Blue & Case Color Lever Action Rifle & Lyman Sight