Winchester 1886 .40-82 WCF 26″ Octagon Lever Action Rifle 1889 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,751.00
LSB#: LSB260412RR050
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 34637
Year of Manufacture: 1889 Antique
Caliber: .40-82 WCF
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “40-82 WCF”. The lower tang has patent dates and the serial number. The upper tang is marked “Model 1886”.
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade dovetailed and set screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf U notch with elevator dovetailed to the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, with crescent steel buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. The stocks have been refinished. There are spots where the finish has overrun onto the metal. There are spots of sanding that left the metal proud. There is iron staining around the metal. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. The forend is cracked and repaired. There are some chips at the forend cap and buttplate. Overall this stock is in Fair condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is distinct. There is erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its original finish. There are scratches, pitts, and polish marks that have been blued over. The barrel markings have been largely removed. The edges are softened. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings range from legible to gone. Overall this rifle is in Poor condition as refinished.
Mechanics: This rifle appears to function correctly. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. Due to bore condition we recommend gunsmith inspection before firing. 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: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1886 is one of Winchester’s great large-frame lever-action rifles, designed for powerful black powder-era sporting cartridges and valued today for its strength, handling, and historical importance. This 1889-manufactured antique example is chambered in .40-82 WCF and features a 26” octagonal barrel, tubular magazine, crescent steel buttplate, and classic straight-grip walnut rifle configuration. The rifle is fitted with a silver blade front sight and elevator-adjustable rear sight, while the upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight, giving it the traditional sighting options associated with late 19th-century sporting rifles.
This rifle has been refinished, and while it retains about 90% of its current blued finish, the refinish work has covered scratches, pits, and polish marks. The edges are softened, the barrel markings have been largely removed, and the remaining markings range from legible to absent. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The bore is gray with distinct rifling, but there is erosion and pitting throughout; in this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5/10. Mechanically, the rifle appears to function correctly, with tight lever lock-up and a crisp trigger, though due to the bore condition, a qualified gunsmith inspection is recommended before any firing use.
The smooth walnut stocks have also been refinished and show finish overrun onto the metal, areas where sanding has left the metal proud, iron staining around the metal, scattered scratches and compression dents, a repaired crack in the forend, and some chipping at the forend cap and buttplate. Overall, the stocks rate Fair as refinished. While the antique status, Model 1886 action, octagon barrel, and .40-82 WCF chambering give this rifle considerable historical and display appeal, the refinished metal and wood, softened markings, poor bore, and repaired stock issues place it below high-originality collector grade. Overall, this is a Poor condition antique Winchester 1886 as refinished, best suited as a representative display piece, restoration candidate, or collector example for those prioritizing configuration and age over originality and bore quality. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF