#554/2000 Browning 1886 US National Forest Centennial 45-70 22″ Lever Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2530
LSB#: 230920CG009
Make: Browning, Manufactured by Miroku
Model: 1886 National Forest Centennial Limited Edition, #554 of 2,000
Serial Number: 00554FS189
Year of Manufacture: 1991
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “.45-70 GOVT”. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886 CALIBER .45-70 GOVT”. The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with “NP”. The tang is marked “BROWNING MODEL 1886”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The left of the receiver has a bust of Teddy Roosevelt, a banner that reads “1891 / 1991”, and a U.S. Forest Service badge that reads “FOREST SERVICE / US / DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE”. The right side of the receiver has a banner that reads “U.S. NATIONAL FORESTS CENTENNIAL 1891-1991”, a second banner that reads “ONE OF 2000” and has a Forest Reserve Ranger crest that reads “DEPARTMENT / OF THE / INTERIOR” super imposed with “US” surrounded by “FOREST RESERVE RANGER”. The markings on the sides of the receiver have gold accents.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned into a base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a two position sight, it is flat-topped “U” notch when down and when flipped up it is a ladder sight with a “U” notched slider. The ladder graduates from 0 to 20 in increments of 5.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two-piece checkered walnut set with a banded forearm, straight grip, straight comb, and steel carbine-style buttplate. There is dried light cosmoline throughout and light handling marks. There are no significant imperfections. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate also has some dried grease. The stocks are in about Fine-Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with Coin Finish Receiver
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. 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 areas of dried gun preservative throughout the metal which should clean off fairly easily. Otherwise, there are no significant marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms a thorough cleaning may be required to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in its original serial matching box with a manual.
Our Assessment: From 1883 until 1900, John Moses Browning’s rifle designs were manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. The 1886 lever action rifle was chambered in rifle caliber rounds and featured a new elevator system. Browning severed his relationship with Winchester in 1900 and the Browning Company began having their products manufactured at FN in Belgium and later at Miroku in Japan. This is a Miroku manufactured 1886 Limited Edition National Forest Centennial 1886 chambered in .45-70 Government. This rifle is in about Excellent condition with some dried gun preservative throughout the wood and metal, 99% of its metal finish, and the bore is bright with sharp rifling. It is a splendid looking rifle featuring beautiful walnut stocks and limited edition National Forest engravings on the receiver which have gold accents. This is number 554 of 2,000 and would make a great addition to a Winchester of Browning collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
