Winchester Model 1886 26″ Octagonal .38-56 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1900 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3101
LSB#: 230913LP005
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 122272
Year of Manufacture: 1900
Caliber: .38-56 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the sight is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a thin crack at the rear of the top tang, extending back and to the right. There is a tiny loss in the top-front corner of the wrist on the right. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has been polished with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 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: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most remaining finish is in the barrel and magazine tube. The receiver has some case color showing, but most surfaces have gone to a nickel-like appearance common to case hardening of this age with scattered light surface oxidation and minor erosion. The barrel and magazine tube have some scattered light oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable are clusters of tool marks around the sights. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition.
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. The rifle was made in 1900 and is in Good-plus overall condition. The bore shows its age, but the mechanics are still quite strong and the rifle retains much of its original metal finish. The collectors should have some interest in this rifle, 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
