Winchester 1886 ’86 Takedown 26″ Octagonal .45-70 Gov’t Lever Rifle, 1998
SOLD FOR: $1500
LSB#: 210425RJ01
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886 Takedown
Serial Number: 01838NP343
Year of Manufacture: 1998 (NP date code)
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Takedown Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “U.S. REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / MADE IN JAPAN/MIROKU”, “-WINCHESTER- / LICENSEE” and at the rear with an ovalled “WP” proof. The top-rear of the barrel is marked “CAL. .45-70 GOVT”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with ovalled “WP”, the top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1886”. The bottom of the barrel extension is marked “1838”, the bottom front of the receiver is marked “01838 / NP343”.
Barrel Length: 26?, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The sides of the front sight base are tool marked. The rear sight is a square-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and blued steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear at the heel and toe with infrequent light marks in the face. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus 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.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is some very minor oxidation on the bottom of the receiver and the lever. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a rebounding hammer, half-cock safety and there is a tang-mounted safety. The lever lock-up is tight and 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, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1886 Takedown made in 1998. 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 reintroduction has the same action with a tang-mounted safety. This one appears to have seen little, if any use. It retains 97% of its metal finish with a nice bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to any collection. With its 26? octagonal barrel, takedown capability, and .45-70 chambering, this would make a nice hunting rifle that could take just about any game in North America, though it’s a bit heavy for taking it on a long stalk. In such high condition, it will likely see interest from Winchester collectors as well. 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!