Winchester 1886 .45-70 Gov 26″ Octagon Lever Action Rifle 1891 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,686.00
LSB#: LSB260602CL060
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 56396
Year of Manufacture: 1891 Antique
Caliber: .45-70 Gov
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade that is dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable spring leaf semi buckhorn with elevator that is dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and crescent steel buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/4″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has been refinished. There are repaired patches on the upper tang and toe of the stock. There are small chips scattered throughout. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. Overall this stock is in Fair to Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is very minor erosion. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its current blued finish. This rifle has been aggressively buffed. The edges and stampings have been softened. There is corrosion staining and pitting throughout that has been blued over. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are faded and some are not legible. Overall this rifle is in Fair condition.
Mechanics: This rifle appears to function correctly. 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: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1886 is one of John M. Browning’s strongest and most celebrated lever-action designs, developed specifically to handle the large, powerful cartridges that exceeded the capabilities of Winchester’s earlier toggle-link actions. This 1891 antique example is chambered in .45-70 Government and features a 26″ barrel, full-length tubular magazine, straight-grip walnut furniture, crescent steel buttplate, and traditional barrel-mounted sights. Its full-length rifle configuration, large-bore chambering, and early production give it strong appeal as a classic 19th-century Winchester sporting rifle.
Introduced in 1886, the Winchester Model 1886 marked a major advancement in lever-action rifle design. Browning’s vertically locking action provided the strength necessary for cartridges such as the .45-70 Government and other heavy black-powder sporting rounds, making the rifle popular with hunters pursuing large North American game. The Model 1886 established a reputation for exceptional strength, smooth operation, and durability and remains one of the most highly regarded Winchester lever actions among collectors and sporting-rifle enthusiasts.
This rifle retains about 10% of its current refinished blue, with extensive finish loss, corrosion staining, and pitting throughout. The metal has been aggressively buffed and reblued, resulting in softened edges, faded markings, and some stampings that are no longer legible. The refinished walnut stocks rate in Fair to Good condition with scratches, compression dents, scattered small chips, and repaired areas at the upper tang and toe. The bright bore is a notable strength, retaining sharp rifling with only very minor erosion and rating 9/10. The action appears to function correctly, the lever locks up tightly, and the trigger is crisp. Overall, this is a Fair-condition antique Model 1886 whose collector originality has been significantly affected by refinishing, but which retains a strong bore and desirable .45-70 configuration. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF