
1st Year Pre-64 Winchester Model 88 .308 Win Lever Action Rifle, 1955 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,400
WOA#: WY240316MC014
Make: Winchester
Model: 88
Serial#: 7846
Year of Manufacture: 1955, 1st Year Production
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “- WINCHESTER- MODEL 88 -”, “CAL. 308 WIN.-”, “–TRADE MARK– –MADE IN U.S.A. – WIN. PROOF STEEL-” and features a Winchester proof mark. The left side of the receiver is marked with the same proof and the serial number “7846”.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood (none present). The rear sight has been removed, its dovetail is filled with a blank. The left side of the receiver has two drilled and tapped holes for a receiver sight (not included). The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a rail and QD rings holding a Swift 3-9x scope with duplex reticle. The body of the scope has some light nicks, scratches, and ring-wear. The glass is still fairly clear, but could use a good cleaning.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece checkered wood with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, checkered black plastic Winchester buttplate and QD sockets front and rear (QD swivels installed). The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable ding on the left below the receiver and a small loss at the toe. There is scattered discoloration with some residue at the left-rear of the receiver where it appears a receiver sight was previously installed. The checkering is generally well defined with the most notable wear in the left wrist checkering. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp. There is some scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light finish wear with some more notable wear on the top of the barrel over the forend. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with infrequent spots of faint oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a cross safety on the front of the lever. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The rifle comes with a single 4-round magazine, a Boyt leather sling and the installed scope as described.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 88 lever action rifle with a 22” barrel chambered in .308 Win. This model was made from 1955 to 1973, and was about the only lever action model chambered in a rifle cartridge without an external hammer that Winchester ever made, and had a removable magazine vs. the tubular magazine used on its other lever action rifles – a descendent of the Winchester Model 1895. This rifle is from the first year of production and shows wear consistent with use in the field over the last 79 years. The .308 Winchester cartridge is versatile and easy to find ammunition in a variety of loadings. Anyone who hunts in the woods will appreciate its short 22” barrel and fast handling characteristics for fast shots on running game. This old workhorse likely has a few more hunting trips left in it, but would also be a great addition to a Winchester collection for those who appreciate a gun that actually saw its intended use. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
