Winchester Model 1886 ’86 26″ .45-70 Gov’t Lever Action Rifle MFD 1997-1998
SOLD FOR: $1225
LSB#: 210610RL07
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: ES1609
Year of Manufacture: 1997-1998
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “U.S. REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN, CT. U.S.A. / MADE IN JAPAN”, “-WINCHESTER- / LICENSEE” and at the rear with an ovalled “WP” proof. The top-rear of the barrel is marked “CAL. .45-70 GOVT”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with ovalled “WP”, the top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1886”. The bottom front of the receiver is marked “ES1609”.
Barrel Length: 26?, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, pistol grip, straight comb and blued steel crescent buttplate. There are a couple hardly noticeable compression marks and tiny marks into the finish, most noticeable on the left side of the pistol grip. The belly has a small patch of little marks into the finish. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered small spots of oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some little spots of oxidation on the interior of the lever. There are some spots of oxidation scattered over the barrel. The receiver has a few light handling marks. There doesn’t look to be too much operational wear and we think that it was shot only a couple of times but was stored away before it could get a protective coat of oil and developed some of the oxidation. The screwheads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a rebounding hammer and there is a tang-mounted safety. 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: Included is a serial matching box. The box has large rips and tears, some of the lid is missing. There are scuffs and edge wear. A couple of the edges have split or torn. There are some dirty spots. The box is in about Fair-Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1886 made in 1997 or 1998. The 1886 followed up the 1876, providing a much stronger action which was able to withstand larger and more powerful cartridges such as the .45-70, the issued rifle cartridge of the U.S. Army at the time. The design would later be shrunk for the model 1892. This modern reintroduction has the same action with a tang-mounted safety. This one appears to have seen little if any use but likely just didn’t get a light coat of oil and developed a some spots of oxidation. It retains 97% of its metal finish with a great bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to a collection. With its 26? octagonal barrel and .45-70 chambering, this would make a nice hunting rifle that could take just about any game in North America, though it’s a bit heavy for taking it on a long stalk. If you’re looking for a .45-70 lever gun, you can’t do much better than this. Please see our photos and good luck!