Browning Miroku 1886 High Grade 1 of 3000 .45-70 Gov’t 26″ Lever Rifle 1986
SOLD FOR: $3775
LSB#: 220203TH003
Make: Browning, Mfg. in Japan by Miroku
Model: 1886, High Grade
Serial Number: 02540PT697
Year of Manufacture: 1986 (PT date code)
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “.45-70 GOVT”. The top of the barrel is marked “1 OF 3000”. The right of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886 CALIBER .45-70 GOVT” and “NP” at the rear. The left side of the bolt and both sides of the locking block are marked “NP”. The top tang is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886”. The right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The sides of the receiver have high grade engraving with gold accented bison on the right side and elk on the left.
Barrel Length: 26”, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade that is dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn square notch elevator sight that is dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped forend, straight grip and carbine-style steel buttplate. The wood shows no imperfections worth noting, maybe just a storage mark or two. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is clean. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Grayed Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a faint amount of tarnish on the lever. Otherwise, there are no imperfections worth noting. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock 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: This rifle comes in its serial matching box with a factory manual.
Our Assessment: This is a High Grade Browning model 1886 Carbine, a reproduction of the original Winchester which was, ironically, 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 with only 7,000 Grade I rifles made and an additional 3,000 High Grade rifles. This one retains 99% of its metal finish with an excellent bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to any collection. This would also make a nice hunting rifle that could take just about any game in North America, but would probably make a better safe queen in its high condition and given that only 3,000 were made! Please see our photos and good luck!