Custom Engraved Winchester Model 1886 .38-56 WCF Lever Rifle, 1888 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,875.00
LSB#: WY240723KM009
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 18485
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: .38-56 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel; the bead is missing. The rear sight is a flat-top, “V”-notch elevator sight with a vertical platinum line aiming reference 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 walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have been custom checkered with fleur de lis accents on the wrist. Sling eyelets have been installed in the belly and the nosecap. There is a small relief in the front of the comb, likely for a previously installed folding tang sight. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack in the left-front of the wrist near the top. The checkering shows scattered wear, fairly well defined in most areas. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina with one notable nick on the right edge near the toe. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition as customized Antique
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is Original, the engraving on the receiver is not factory engraving.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling shows wear, but is generally well defined. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is mostly on the barrel in protected areas and around raised features. Most surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a little minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock notch. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Winchester’s first attempt at a lever action rifle capable of handling a rifle cartridge was the Model 1876, which was a heavier framed version of the Model 1873. However, the toggle-link action used in the gun was still limited to short cartridges like the .40-60 and .45-60 Win. The Model 1886 was designed for Winchester by John Moses Browning to handle longer cartridges like the .45-70 Govt., the .45-90 Win. and .50-110 Win. cartridges. The Model 1886 utilized a locked-bolt action that was much stronger than the M1876, and some think it is faster and smoother as well. The Winchester Model 1886 was touted as a lever action express model, capable of handling any of the North American game animals.
This rifle is chambered in .38-56 WCF and has honest wear consistent with its age. At some point in its life it was customized with checkering on the stocks and engraving on the receiver. The engraving is interesting with the left flat having two game scenes as well as a distinctive eye engraved around the cartridge stop screw. The rifle was made in 1888 and is in Very Good overall condition as Antique. The collectors should have some interest in this rifle as an early 1886, but it is equally suited for restoring and taking back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
