Winchester Model 1886 22″ Takedown .45-90 Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1920 C&R
SOLD FOR: $10025
LSB#: 230416JR008
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886 Takedown
Year of Manufacture: 1920
Caliber: .45-90 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action, Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle
Serial Number: 156213
Barrel Length: 22?, Round
Sights: The front sight is a Lyman white beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester 3-leaf Express sight with three folding “V”-notches in a base dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, straight comb, checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate and sling eyelets front and rear. The stocks have some light nicks and scratches. There are tiny losses at the rear of the top tang and at the rear sling eyelet. There are no cracks. The checkering is generally well defined, there is wear in borders of the forend checkering. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear around the edges and a tiny loss at the toe with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 or 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel retains generally strong finish throughout. There is wear on the magazine tube from assembly/disassembly. The receiver has scattered wear, more notable in the tangs and toward the bottom-front. There is some scattered discoloration from oxidation. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The lever locks up solidly. 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: This rifle comes with a Cody Firearms Museum records search which indicates that this rifle was shipped on November 18, 1920 on order number 216699.
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 is a nice example of an 1886 with special order features including checkered pistol grip stocks and takedown action. It is chambered for the powerful .45-90 cartridge and shows honest wear for its age. The rifle retains approximately 70% of its metal finish, light wear in the refinished stocks and a decent bore. Any 1886 from the original 1886-1928 production run would be collectible, but this example with its special order features will make a fine addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
