Early Winchester Model 1886 26″ .45-90 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1887 Antique
SOLD FOR: $5275
LSB#: 230924RF024
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 7005
Year of Manufacture: 1887
Caliber: .45-90 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a white beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Lyman tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. There are holes in the nosecap and belly for sling studs (not present). The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs, and scratches, mostly in the buttstock. The grip areas show thinning finish. The forend has very slight play front-to-back. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some minor surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and some pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have some scattered light finish wear. The receiver has some good case color with some of the surface gone to a nickel-like appearance common for case hardened receivers of this age. There is scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The left receiver flat has a more notable nick at the bottom. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine 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 made to handle longer cartridges like the .45-70 Govt., and 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 .45-90 WCF, one of the original chamberings for this model. Made in 1887, it is very early in M1886 production, and is in Fine overall condition as Antique. The collectors should be very interested in this rifle and it would be a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
