373 of 500 Winchester 1886 Takedown Limited .45-70 Gov’t 26″ Lever Action
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 210610RL03
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886 Limited Takedown, 373 of 500
Serial Number: 00373MZ86T
Year of Manufacture: 2001 (MZ date code)
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Takedown 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 TRADEMARKS 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 base of the takedown barrel is marked “00373” on the bottom. The right shoulder of the barrel is marked “1886 TD-LTD 1 OF 500”.
Barrel Length: 26?, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass 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 are a couple of little tiny compressions on the forend and on the bottom of the wrist to the sides of the tang. There are a few little marks on the comb towards the heel. 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 97% of its metal finish. There are a few little marks that have lightly thinned the finish on the magazine tube from takedown. The barrel has a couple scuffs that have thinned the finish, most noticeable on the top at about the forend. There are a couple small marks on the bolt and lever. The receiver has some light handling wear. There is faint operational wear. 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 is included with a serial matching box and paperwork including the manual. The box has some scattered scuffs, scratches, and edge wear. There are some punctures, mostly on the bottom. The box rates in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1886 Takedown 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 97% of its metal finish with a nice bore and would make a great addition to any collection. With its 26? octagonal barrel, takedown capability, 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!