235 of 500 Winchester Model 1886 Limited .45-70 Gov’t 26″ Lever Rifle 2001

SOLD FOR : $1302

LSB#: 210610RL02

Make: Winchester

Model: 1886 Limited, 235 of 500

Serial Number: 00235MZ860

Year of Manufacture: 2001 (MZ date code)

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “U.S. REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / JAPAN/MIROKU”, “-WINCHESTER-“, “WINCHESTER TRADE MARKS LICENSED FROM OLIN CORPORATION” and at the rear with an ovalled “WP” proof. The top-rear of the barrel is marked “CAL. .45-70 GOVT”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with ovalled “WP”, the top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1886”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The right shoulder of the barrel is marked “1886-LTD 1 OF 500”.

Barrel Length: 26?, Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and matte blued steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some light handling marks. There is a little mark on the bottom of the wrist and another abovet the toe, both are very light. There is a little mark on the left edge of the forend. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light handling wear. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Matte Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are are a few streaks through the finish on the right side of the magazine tube. There are light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a rebounding hammer and there is a tang-mounted safety. 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: This rifle comes in a serial matching box with paperwork including the manual. The box has small scattered spots of discoloration, scuffs, and little creases. There is a tear out of the side of the lid and there are punctures on the bottom. The box rates in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1886 Limited made in 2001. The 1886 followed up the 1876, providing a much stronger action which was able to withstand larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45-70, the issue rifle cartridge of the U.S. Army at the time. The design would later be shrunk for the model 1892. This modern reintroduction has the same action with a tang-mounted safety. This one appears to have seen its whole life in its included box. It retains 98% of its metal finish with a nice bore and would make a great addition to any collection. With its 26? octagonal barrel and .45-70 chambering, this would make a nice hunting rifle that could take just about any game in North America, though it’s a bit heavy for taking it on a long stalk. In such high condition, it will likely see interest from Winchester collectors. If you’re looking for a .45-70 lever gun, you can’t do much better than this. Please see our photos and good luck!