Early Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe .45-90 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1888 Antique
SOLD FOR: $9,625
LSB#: 200302JH01
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886 Deluxe
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: .45-90 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle
Serial Number: 27583
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-” forward of the rear sight and “45-90 W.C.F.” behind the rear sight. The top tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-“. The bottom tang is marked -“PAT. OCT. 14. 1884. / JAN. 20. 1885”- under the lever and “27583” at the rear. The left of the bottom tang, under the grip, is marked “579 S XXX”, the inlet for the top tang in the top of the wrist is marked “579” and the inside of the buttplate is marked “579 S”.
Barrel Length: 26? Nominal, 25 7/8? Measured, Octagonal
Sights: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is an Express-style sight with three “V”-notches with vertical lines of platinum for an aiming reference. The rear notch is marked “50”, the middle “1” and the front “2”. The rear and middle notches are one-piece, folding one up will fold the other down. The front leaf is a separate piece and can only be folded up with the middle notch up. The Express sight is dovetailed to the back of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped forend, ebony inlet on the pistol grip, straight comb and smooth steel buttplate. The stocks have several scattered light nicks, dings scratches and scuffs. The buttstock has a deeper nick on the left of the wrist next to the bottom tang, a few small losses around the tangs, discoloration from oil around the top tang, extending back along the right of the comb, and a few spots of dark discoloration on the left above the belly. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some finish remaining in the middle with scattered wear and minor surface oxidation, the edges worn to white and a more notable nick near the toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & “Extra Finish” Case-Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some light pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish in the flats with some scattered light nicks, scratches, minor surface oxidation, and two more notable nicks on the left shoulder about 4″ in front of the forend and on the top-left edge just behind the forend cap. The magazine tube has light finish wear along the bottom with strong finish on the top, the worn areas showing minor discoloration from oxidation. The receiver’s case color is strongest on the left flat, to each side of the hammer, and in the bottom tang with other areas having gone to gray with scattered minor surface oxidation and a few light scratches. The lever has strongest case color inside the trigger guard with other areas mostly gone to gray. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The lever locks up solidly. The trigger is crisp. 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 is a nice example of a Deluxe Model Rifle with beautifully figured checkered walnut pistol grip stock, early-style ebony inlet in the bottom of the grip, Express rear sight, and “Extra Finish” case-color receiver. The rifle retains approximately 75% of its original finish, quite light wear for a 130+ year old gun. Any original 1886 would be collectible, but this Deluxe Model with remaining finish, matching assembly numbers and an Express sight will make a fine addition to even the most advanced Winchester collectors. Please see our pictures and good luck!
