Browning 1886 Like Winchester 26″ 45-70 Gov’t Lever Rifle 1986 Matching Box

SOLD FOR: $3025

LSB#: 230113HP067

Make: Browning

Model: 1886, Limited Edition Grade 1

Serial Number: 01568PT197

Year of Manufacture: 1986 (PT date code)

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “.45-70 GOVT”. The right shoulder of the barrel is marked “NP”and “BROWNING MODEL 1886 CALIBER .45-70 GOVT”. The top tang is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886”, the right of the receiver is marked with the serial number under the loading gate.

Barrel Length: 26?, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. 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 forend has a tiny, barely noticeable little compression on the right. Otherwise, there are a few other minor handling and storage marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is clean and shows no significant wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine-Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in 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 original serial matching two-piece cardboard box with internal foam tray and the manual. The box shows scattered finish wear and a few small punctures throughout.

Our Assessment: This is a Browning model 1886, 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 for the centennial of the 1886 in 1986 with only 7,000 Grade I rifles made and an additional 3,000 High Grade rifles. This one doesn’t appear to have seen much use, in Excellent condition. It retains 99% of its metal finish with a great bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to any collection. With its 26? octagonal barrel 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 and 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!
-Greenfield