Special Order Deluxe Winchester 1886 28″ .45-70 Lever Rifle 1889 Antique
SOLD FOR: $5,626.00
LSB#: WY250501RV002.1
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 29241
Year of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 28″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the rear face of the blade is slotted, but no insert is present. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a “V”-notch when folded down with a “V”-notch slider on a ladder graduated from 2-10 in hundreds of yards, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation. The included records check indicates that the rifle was originally equipped with a Lyman tang sight and front sight, likely the front sight has been replaced (see records detail).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece fancy checkered walnut with nosecap, pistol grip with inlaid ebony triangle, straight comb, and nickel-plated steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a small loss in the left of the wrist at the bottom-front corner. There is a crack at the left-rear of the top tang. The checkering shows wear, but is generally well defined. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some wear at the heel, toe, and in the face with scattered oxidation. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color, Nickel Bolt, Lever & Buttplate (as special-ordered)
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is well defined. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. There is a slight bulge just behind the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4-5 out of 10 and would rate higher without the bulge.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. Blue finish remains mostly in protected areas or around raised features with most surfaces worn or gone to a light patina. The receiver has infrequent good color with most surfaces going to the nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester case hardening of this age. Strongest finish is nickel-plate, special ordered on the bolt, lever, and buttplate. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Cody Firearms Records Office records search which indicates that this serial number was applied April 18,1889, assembled as a rifle chambered for 45/70 with 28″ octagonal barrel, checkered stock with pistol grip, Lyman front and rear sights, nickeled bolt, finger lever and buttplate, received in warehouse May 24, 1889 and shipped May 28, 1889 on order 21859. The records further indicate that the rifle was returned for repair twice, once October 22 (year not listed) and again April 6, 1891.
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. The toggle-link action used in the gun was limited to short cartridges like the .40-60 and .45-60, and its development was rushed to ensure that the new model was out in time for the American Centennial. The Model 1886 was designed by John Moses Browning to handle longer cartridges like the .45-70 Govt., the .45-90 Win. and .50-110 Win. cartridges, utilizing a locked-bolt action that was much stronger, touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals.
This rifle is chambered in .45-70 Government and has some very neat special-order features. In addition to checkered, pistol grip stocks and Lyman sights, the rifle was ordered with Nickel finish on the bolt, lever and buttplate, an uncommon request. While the original front sight has been replaced, the records also note two separate returns to the factory for repair, and it is not impossible that the current sight was factory-installed. With the included factory records check, this rifle is quite scarce with its pistol grip and custom finish. We suspect the collectors are going to be very interested! -Bud