Winchester Model 1886 .45-90 Lever Action Rifle & Letter, 1894 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,585
LSB #: 231102JA092
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 91628
Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: .45-90 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics:The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut. There are light handling marks present with a couple of more notable dings. There are scattered light nicks and scratches, mostly not through the finish. There is a more notable ding in the belly and another in the right of the wrist at the bottom-front corner. There is a loss in the left of the wrist at the top-front which has been sanded and finished over. There is some discoloration, mostly at the edges. There are no cracks present. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows signs of polishing and some minor erosion under its new chrome finish. The bottom mounting screw sits proud to the plate and the plate has minor play to the wood. The wood to metal fit is alternately good with some areas shy to the metal, most notable at the buttplate and on the left of the wrist. The stock rates in about Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Chrome
Finish Originality: Not Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is well defined. There is some light erosion and minor pitting in the bore, more toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its non original metal finish. The balance of finish shows light wear with some scattered minor erosion under the finish. There are some scattered minor nicks and scuffs. There are some nicks under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tooled with turnable slots. The bottom stock mounting screw is proud to the tang. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action does function correctly. This firearm has not been test fired, these are used items. While we have performed a mechanical function check and noted any discrepancies we cannot guarantee the suitability of this firearm
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter indicating that it was received in warehouse on October 25, 1894 and shipped June 8, 1895.
Our Assessment: Winchester’s first attempt at a lever action rifle capable of handling a rifle cartridge was the Model 1876, which was a heavier framed version of the Model 1873. However, the toggle-link action used in the gun was still limited to short cartridges like the .40-60 and .45-60 Win. The Model 1886 was designed for Winchester by John Moses Browning to handle longer cartridges like the .45-70 Govt., the .45-90 Win. and .50-110 Express cartridges. The Model 1886 utilized a locked-bolt action that was much stronger than the M1876, and some think it is faster and smoother as well. The Winchester Model 1886 was touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals.
This rifle is chambered in .45-90 WCF and has been refinished, so it looks great for its age. The rifle was made in 1894 and is in Very Good-plus overall condition as an antique. The collectors should have some interest in this rifle but it retains a decent bore and may be suited to some more trips out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!
