Winchester Model 1886 26″ Octagonal .40-82 WCF Lever Rifle, 1896 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,027.00
LSB#: WY241109DC022
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 110823
Year of Manufacture: 1896
Caliber: .40-82 WCF (Winchester Center Fire)
Action Type: Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beech-style folding sight, presenting either a hooded, beaded post or a white beaded post, dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The front sight is not original to the rifle. The rear sight has been removed and a blank installed. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight. The mounting screws are installed and a folding tang sight is included, but not installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and crescent steel buttplate. The stocks have some nicks, scuffs and scratches. Most marks are in the buttstock, there are a couple of notable marks on the left of the forend at the top. There are nicks in the front of the comb from the tang sight. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with some scattered light erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered light finish wear including wear on the barrel from the original rear sight. There are areas on the receiver and lever where minor surface erosion has been scrubbed. There is infrequent minor erosion on the barrel. Some of the receiver’s case color has muted with strong color in some areas. Notably, the top tang has intense color where it was protected by a tang sight. There are some minor nicks and small 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 Fine-Excellent condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: Included is a Cody Firearms Records Office search and a folding tang sight (not installed). The records search indicates that this rifle’s serial number was applied October 26, 1896, the rifle was received in warehouse February 1, 1897 and shipped November 15, 1897 on order 22799.
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 was made in 1896 and appears to have had very gentle life. With light wear in the stocks, the great majority of its original metal finish, a strong bore and great mechanics, there aren’t many 1886s from the 19th Century that are still in this kind of shape. This rifle’s condition is sure to interest the collectors, but it should still prove to be a good shooter or hunting rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
