Winchester 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine .45-70 22″ Lever Rifle 1895 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,825.00
LSB#: LSB251002RS009
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 95139
Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Barrel Length: 22” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded insert pinned into a post soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is the M1886 ladder type.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and carbine buttplate. There is a crack on the bottom of the forend towards the front. There are a few handling marks and compressions. The stock has been refinished in the past. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor scuffs on the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition being a refinish.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark but the rifling is defined. There is light pitting throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its current metal finish. There are faint signs of operational and handling wear. The markings are somewhat blurred. The polish marks from rebluing show, particularly on the receiver. The barrel and mag tube show discoloration from rebluing the nickel steel, mostly towards the muzzle. The balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout. The screw heads show some marring but are serviceable. Overall, this rifle rates in Fair – Good condition.
Mechanics: This rifle functions correctly. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. There is extensive varnish from old oil throughout the action causing it to be a little sticky. 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: The Winchester Model 1886 was John Browning’s answer to the growing demand for big-bore lever guns capable of handling the powerful cartridges of the late 19th century, and by the 1890s it had become one of the premier choices for hunters and frontiersmen who required reach, authority, and reliability. This 1895 saddle ring carbine represents a desirable variation of the platform—shorter, handier, and built for rugged use on horseback or in dense timber. The 22-inch round barrel, capped forend, and classic carbine buttplate all preserve the unmistakable profile of a rifle designed for mobility in the field, while the presence of the saddle ring hints at the practical needs of riders and scouts during a period when such features were more than decoration.
Chambered in .45-70 Government, the rifle carries one of the most storied American cartridges of the black-powder and early smokeless eras. Adopted for military service in 1873, the .45-70 transitioned seamlessly into civilian sporting use, prized for its deep-penetrating performance and versatile loadings. By the time this carbine left the Winchester factory in 1895, the pairing of the Model 1886 with the .45-70 had already earned a reputation across the continent for capability against large game and for dependable field handling. The bore on this example shows the expected wear of an antique saddle carbine, yet retains defined rifling—a testament to the durability of Winchester barrels and the enduring legacy of the cartridge itself.
The refinished metal and wood show the hallmarks of a rifle that has been preserved for continued life long after its working years, with softened markings, visible polishing beneath the blue. Even so, the carbine maintains its correct saddle ring configuration and overall form, offering an authentic link to the days when Winchester’s big-frame lever guns were trusted tools on the expanding American frontier. As an 1895-dated antique with strong remaining finish and classic carbine features, it stands today as an evocative representative of Winchester’s most powerful lever-action design. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF
