Winchester Model 1886 ’86 Takedown 24″ .33 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1901 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,464.00
LSB#: WY250501TW013
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886, Takedown
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle
Serial Number: 127040
Barrel Length: 24″, Round
Sights: The front sight is a Marble Sheard brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Marble’s folding sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch was fine-adjustable for elevation, but is missing, now appearing as a wide, fixed “U”-notch. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled to accept a peep-sight (none included). The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 56 receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and 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 nicks, scuffs and scratches, more and more notable in the buttstock. There is a notable scrape/bruise on the left of the buttstock above the belly. The front of the comb has been relieved, likely for a previously installed tang sight. There are a few cracks around the rear edge of the butt. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered nicks, scratches and light oxidation. The left edge has seven small notches that may have been intentionally applied. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case-Hardened Lever & Hammer
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The dovetail on the barrel indicates it was originally supplied with a full-length magazine tube. Either the tube, the barrel, or both are not original to the gun.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable wear is in the barrel extension, the receiver tangs, and the bottom-front of the receiver. Much of the worn area has gone to a light patina. The lever loop shows handling wear. There are scattered nicks and scratches. There is some minor surface oxidation. 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 Very Good condition.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some pitting in front of the chamber. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The lever locks up tight. The hammer has a half-cock position. 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 is a takedown rifle, which allows the user to quickly remove the barrel assembly from the receiver for transport in a case the length of the barrel and has a 24″ round barrel. The rifle is fairly light for an 1886 and is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1932 until the model was discontinued.
This rifle was made in 1901 and is a takedown model chambered for .33 WCF with a 24″ barrel. The .33 WCF is a good medium-range hunting cartridge, with performance roughly equivalent to or slightly better than .35 Remington. This rifle looks to have seen a useful life, at some point having either or both the barrel and magazine tube replaced. The rifle is in great shape mechanically, showing wear consistent with its age and use in the field. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors as it is a takedown model. Either way, this is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
