Winchester Model 1886 Short Rifle 22”.40-82 WCF Lever Action Antique
SOLD FOR: $12,525.98
LSB#: LSB251016KS148
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886 Carbine
Serial Number: 117985
Year of Manufacture: 1903 C&R
Caliber: .40-82 WCF
Action Type: Takedown Lever Action with Full-Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The bottom tang is marked with the serial number “117985” and with patent dates. The top tang is marked “–MODEL 1886”–. The top of the barrel near the receiver is marked “Nickel Steel /.40-82 W.C.F.” The top of the barrel is marked “Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co, New Haven, Conn. USA
Barrel Length: 22”, Half Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Winchester leaf with elevator. The upper tang has had the front factory peep sight hole plugged and another drilled and tapped through the stamping to accommodate a Lyman tang peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut, capped forend, semi pistol grip, straight comb, with rifle style crescent steel buttplate. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks have scattered compression dents, scratches, and handling marks throughout. There is oil darkening near the receiver and buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition for a C&R of this age.
Type of Finish: Blued, Color Cased
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is slightly worn. There is some fouling present but no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 8/10.
Overall Condition: The barrel has bluing wear on the leading edges. There are scratches, scuffs, light dings, and operational wear throughout the barrel. The colorcase on the receiver is largely worn to a silver patina. The colors are faintly visible on the hammer and lever. There are scratches and dings on the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but serviceable. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition, as a C&R of this age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly as far as cycling the action and pulling the trigger. We have not fired this rifle and would recommend that a competent gunsmith perform a full inspection before any use is considered. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Cody Firearms Museum Records Search.
Our Assessment: This Winchester Model 1886 Carbine dates to 1903 and represents a powerful and well proportioned large frame lever action from the height of Winchester’s early smokeless era. Designed by John M. Browning, the Model 1886 was built to handle heavy cartridges and demanding use, and the carbine configuration offered a more compact, faster handling alternative to the longer rifle variants. With its 22 inch half octagon barrel, takedown construction, and full length magazine, this example reflects a practical yet robust sporting arm intended for serious field work at the turn of the twentieth century.
Chambered in .40-82 W.C.F., this rifle is closely associated with Winchester’s transitional period from black powder to smokeless powder sporting cartridges. The .40-82 was favored for its power and effectiveness on larger game, while still offering manageable recoil in a lever action platform. The bore on this example remains bright with slightly worn rifling and some fouling present but no erosion, rating a solid 8 out of 10. Factory markings and Nickel Steel barrel designation remain legible, and a Cody Firearms Museum Records Search confirms the rifle left the factory in its present configuration with the noted exception of the sights.
Overall condition is very strong for a C&R firearm of this age. The barrel shows honest bluing wear along the leading edges with scattered scratches, scuffs, and light dings consistent with field use. The receiver’s original color casehardening has largely worn to a silver patina, with faint color remaining on the hammer and lever, adding to the rifle’s authentic period appearance. The walnut stocks remain attractive and well fitted, showing expected handling wear and oil darkening near the receiver and buttplate, yet retaining solid structure and pleasing lines. Mechanically, the action cycles correctly, presenting this rifle as a well preserved and historically correct example of a Winchester Model 1886 Carbine in a classic heavy sporting chambering. Please see our high resolution photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!! MF