Winchester 1886 .45-70 Gov 26″ Octagon Lever Action Rifle 1903 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,981.00
LSB#: LSB260602CL025
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 129619
Year of Manufacture: 1903 C&R
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 a folding ladder style V notch 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 scratches and compression dents throughout. Sanding has left metal proud in a few spots. There is iron staining around the metal in a few areas. There are some minor cracks at the toe. Overall this stock is in Fair to Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is light erosion. There is a notable cleaning scratch about halfway down the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its original blued finish. The majority of the metal has worn to brown patina with light corrosion staining. There are scratches and nicks throughout. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this rifle is in Fair to Good 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 respected lever-action designs, built specifically to handle the large sporting cartridges that exceeded the capabilities of Winchester’s earlier toggle-link rifles. This 1903 example is chambered in .45-70 Government and features a 26″ barrel, full-length tubular magazine, straight-grip walnut furniture, crescent steel buttplate, folding ladder rear sight, and provision for a tang-mounted peep sight. Its full-length rifle configuration and powerful chambering give it the classic profile of an early 20th-century Winchester big-bore sporting rifle.
Introduced in 1886, the Model 1886 represented a major advance in lever-action rifle strength and durability. Browning’s vertically locking action allowed Winchester to chamber the rifle for powerful cartridges such as the .45-70 Government, making it popular with hunters pursuing large North American game. The Model 1886 earned a lasting reputation for smooth operation, robust construction, and excellent handling, and original examples remain highly desirable among collectors of classic Winchester lever actions.
This rifle retains about 10% of its original finish, with most of the metal worn to brown patina and showing light corrosion staining, scratches, and scattered nicks. The refinished walnut stocks rate in Fair to Good condition with compression dents, sanding that has left some metal proud, iron staining, and minor cracking at the toe. The bright bore has sharp rifling and rates 8/10 with light erosion and a notable cleaning scratch about halfway down the bore. The action appears to function correctly, the lever locks up tightly, and the trigger is crisp. Overall, this is a Fair to Good Model 1886 with a strong bore, desirable .45-70 chambering, and solid vintage sporting appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF