Winchester Model 1886 .50-110 WCF 26″ Lever Action Rifle 1889 Antique
SOLD FOR: $9,999.99
LSB#: LSB260602CL041
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 37094
Year of Manufacture: 1889 Antique
Caliber: .50-110 WCF
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf semi buckhorn V notch with elevator dovetailed into 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, and crescent iron buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/4″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock has been sanded and refinished. There are spots where sanding has left the metal proud. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There are no cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Color Case
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. There are scratches and corrosion stains throughout. There is some light pitting scattered throughout. The metal has worn to gray brown patina. There is scattered tool marking. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible.
Mechanics: This rifle appears to function correctly. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. 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: Factory records check from Cody Firearms Museum.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1886 is one of John M. Browning’s strongest and most celebrated lever-action designs, and few chamberings demonstrate the strength of the action better than the formidable .50-110 W.C.F. This 1889 antique example features a 26″ barrel, full-length tubular magazine, straight-grip walnut furniture, crescent iron buttplate, silver-blade front sight, and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Its early production, full-length rifle configuration, and exceptionally desirable big-bore chambering give it substantial presence among antique Winchester sporting rifles.
Introduced in 1886, the Model 1886 represented a major advancement in lever-action strength through Browning’s vertically locking action, allowing Winchester to offer cartridges considerably more powerful than those used in the earlier Models 1873 and 1876. The .50-110 W.C.F. stood among the largest and most powerful cartridges offered in the Model 1886 and became associated with hunters seeking maximum performance from a repeating sporting rifle. Original .50-110 rifles occupy a particularly desirable position in Model 1886 collecting today, and the included factory records check provides an important resource for confirming the configuration of this 1889 example.
This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish, with the metal worn to gray-brown patina and showing scratches, corrosion staining, scattered light pitting, and tool marks. The sanded and refinished walnut stocks remain in Good condition with scratches and compression dents but no cracks, though sanding has left the metal proud in several areas. The semi-bright bore has well-defined rifling with light erosion and pitting throughout and rates 7/10. The action appears to function correctly, the lever locks up tightly, and the trigger is crisp. Overall, this is an appealing antique Model 1886 whose condition reflects considerable age and use, but whose scarce .50-110 W.C.F. chambering, strong mechanics, and factory records check give it substantial collector interest. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF