Winchester Model 1886 ’86 Extra Lightweight .33 WCF Lever Rifle, 1905 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1452
LSB#: 210416DS14
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886 Extra Lightweight
Year of Manufacture: 1905
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Serial Number: 138803
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-” in front of the rear sight, the left is marked “NICKEL STEEL BARREL / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” under the rear sight and the top is marked “33 W.C.F.” at the rear. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the chamber ring are each marked “WP” in oval. The top tang is marked “MODEL 1886 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom tang is marked “138803 A” behind the lever and under the lever with -“PAT OCT. 14. 1884. / JAN. 20. 1885.”-.
Barrel Length: 24? Nominal, 23 7/8? Measured, Round Rapid Taper (0.964″ at the breech, 0.638″ at the muzzle)
Sights: The front sight is a Lyman’s white beaded blade with the rear face checkered below the bead, dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch leaf and elevator sight, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included). The left of the receiver has had two holes drilled and tapped for a receiver sight, no receiver sight is present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The buttstock has a tapered cavity cut into the rear under the buttplate, typical of the extra-lightweight models. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are areas of thinning finish, most notable in the buttstock. There is a thin crack in the bottom of the forend at the front edge. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear, mostly around the edges, and some tool marks around the mounting screws with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 45% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has scattered finish wear and spots of minor surface erosion with strongest finish around the sights and over the magazine tube. The exposed portion of the magazine tube has generally strong finish with light wear and tool marks around the cap retaining screw. The receiver has mostly worn to white with some finish at the rear of the flats, around the hammer and the trigger. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and spots of light surface oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The trigger is crisp. The lever locks up tight. The hammer has a half-cock position. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box / Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It is our favorite Winchester here, certainly the strongest built at the time and function leads to beauty. The 1886 was available in a variety of cartridges over its nearly 40 years of production and, while there were standard configurations, there were also special-order features which led to a wide number of variations available to the collector today. This rifle is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1903 until the model was discontinued. It has the rapid-taper barrel, hollowed buttstock, and half-length magazine of the extra-lightweight model. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. At nearly 120 years old, it appears to have seen responsible use in the field with some of its original finish remaining, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors as it is a less common model with honest wear. This is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!