1112 of 2000 Montana Centennial Browning 1886 .45-70 Govt Lever Rifle 1989
SOLD FOR: $2220
LSB#: 210831RL04
Make: Browning
Model: 1886 Limited Edition Montana Centennial, 1112 of 2000
Serial#: 01112MT1889
Year of Manufacture: 1989
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “.45 – 70 GOVT”. The top tang is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886 CALIBER .45 – 70 GOVT” and has an “NP” proof at the rear. The left side of the receiver has engraving that features a game scene of a gold buffalo within the outline of Montana, banners that read “1889” and “1989” in gold, and the Montana state seal with gold accents. The left side of the receiver is signed “T. NAKA”. The right side of the receiver is marked with a game scene with a gold bear, banners that read “MONTANA 1889 1989” and “ONE OF 2000”, and is also marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 26” Octagonal
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a square notched semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed into the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a straight grip, straight comb, metal nosecap, and blued steel crescent buttplate. There are a few light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the trigger to the end of the buttplate. The plate light handling marks. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with French Gray Receiver
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its original finish. There are a couple of light marks on the left side of the receiver but they are hardly noticeable. There is light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.
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 requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a serial matching box. The box has some creases, edge wear, marks through the finish, scrapes, and a few rips, in about Good-Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Browning model 1886, a reproduction of the original Winchester which was designed by John Browning. The 1886 followed up the 1876, providing a much stronger action which was able to withstand larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45-70, the issue rifle cartridge of the U.S. Army at the time. The design would later be shrunk for the model 1892. This modern reproduction has the same action and was produced as a limited edition in 1989 for the Montana Centennial and only 2000 were made. This one doesn’t appear to have seen much use, in Excellent condition. It retains 98% of its metal finish with a great bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to any collection, especially if you call the Big Sky State home. In such high condition, it will likely see interest from both Browning and Winchester collectors. If you’re looking for a .45-70 lever gun, you can’t do much better than this. Please see our photos and good luck!