Winchester Model 1886 26″ Octagonal .45-90 WCF Lever Rifle, 1890 Antique
SOLD FOR: $4401
LSB#: 230914LM137
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Year of Manufacture: 1890
Caliber: .45-90 Winchester Center Fire
Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed Rifle
Serial Number: 48610
Barrel Length: 26″, Octagonal
Sights: The front sight is a blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding Marble tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks. There are a few tiny losses and a thin crack in the wrist to the right of the top tang. There are thin cracks at the toe on each side. The LOP measures 12 7/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered light surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case-Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is some scattered stubborn fouling, light erosion, and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 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: The rifle retains approximately 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have scattered light finish wear. The receiver has mostly worn to white, there is infrequent muted case color in protected areas. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and 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 condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box / Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It is our favorite Winchester here, certainly the strongest built at the time and function leads to beauty. The 1886 was available in a variety of cartridges over its nearly 40 years of production and, while there were standard configurations, there were also special-order features which led to a wide number of variations available to the collector today.
This example is a rifle with a 26″ octagonal barrel chambered for the .45-90 Winchester Center Fire cartridge. This rifle is in Fine condition as Antique, showing honest wear consistent with its age, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. Altogether, this is a neat example of a Winchester 1886, in nice condition for a 130 year old hunting rifle. It will make a neat addition to a Winchester collection, especially with its special order features. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
