Winchester Model 1886 Extra Light Rifle .47-70 Govt. 22″ Lever Action Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1,325.00

WOA#: WY240316RG014

Make: Winchester, Mfg. by Miroku

Model: 1886 Extra Light Rifle

Serial Number: 00ESLR2538

Year of Manufacture: 2000-2001

Caliber: .45-70 Government

Action Type: Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “U.S. REPEATING ARMS CO. INC., NEW HAVEN, CT U.S.A. / JAPAN/MIROKU” and at the rear with “CAL. .45-70 GOVT.”. The top-rear of the barrel is marked with the ovalled “WP” proof. The top of the chamber ring is marked with the ovalled “WP” proof. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / MODEL 1886”. The right side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 EXTRA LIGHT RIFLE. WINCHESTER LICENSEE”. The bottom front of the receiver is marked “00ESLR / 2538”.

Barrel Length: 22?

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into a small base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn U-notch elevator sight that is dovetailed to the barrel. The left of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered blued steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered light marks. There is a more notable scratch at the left-rear of the forend and a compression in the left of the wrist. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has hardly any wear. 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. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks, most notable is a nick on the left of the barrel above the magazine tube. There is some wear inside the lever loop. The action shows minor operational wear. The screwheads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in 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: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 1886 made sometime between 2000 and 2001, in which time 3,500 were produced before being discontinued, and then reintroduced again from 2010 to 2012. 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 and rebounding hammer. This one is the Extra Light Rifle with a round 22″ barrel and straight grip stock. It retains 97% of its metal finish with a great bore, strong mechanics, and would make a great addition to a collection. 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!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud