Winchester Model 1886 26″ Round .45-90 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1908 C&R
SOLD FOR: $5,225.00
LSB#: LSB260412PC013
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 144508
Year of Manufacture: 1908, shipped August 8.
Caliber: .45-90 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed
Barrel Length: 26”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble white beaded blade dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel, the sight is not original to the rifle. The rear sight is a “U”-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 tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have some handling and finish wear with scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a couple of short, thin grain-line cracks at the bottom-rear of the forend. The non-factory checkering is well defined. 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 infrequent minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear on the bottom of the receiver. The left of the barrel has finish wear around a deep nick between the forend and magazine bracket. There are a few other light nicks and scratches, most notable on the left receiver flat. 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 about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Winchester Factory Records letter indicating that this rifle was produced as a 45/90 with a round barrel, plain trigger, Lyman front sight, received in warehouse June 30, and shipped August 8, 1908 on order 167722.
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 is a nice example of an 1886 made in 1908. It is chambered for the powerful .45-90 cartridge and shows light wear for its age. The rifle retains approximately 85% of its metal finish, light wear in the refinished and custom-checkered stocks, and a nice bore. Any 1886 from the original 1886-1928 production run would be collectible, and this example will make a fine addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
-Bud