
Winchester Model 1886 Takedown 24″ .33 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1904 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,666.00
LSB#: WY241101EA002
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886, Takedown
Serial Number: 134962
Year of Manufacture: 1904
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed Takedown Rifle
Barrel Length: 24?, Round
Sights: The front sight is a Lyman beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel, the bead is missing. The front sight is not original to the gun. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled to accept a peep-sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scrapes and scratches. There is more notable wear around the rear of the buttstock, especially at the heel. There are a few short cracks around the rear of the buttstock. The forend is notably darker than the buttstock. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some scattered light oxidation and a little finish in the well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The magazine tube has been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear, most notable on the barrel extension and the bottom of the receiver. There is some scattered surface erosion, mostly along the right of the barrel and top of the receiver. The barrel had a dovetail for a magazine bracket, it has been filled and blended, left in the white. There is residue around the edges of the stocks from their new finish. There are several nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 Good-plus condition as modified.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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. It also has a pistol grip stock with a checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. While it originally had a full-length magazine tube, it is now equipped with a half-length tube and the original magazine bracket dovetail has been filled and blended. The rifle is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1932 until the model was discontinued.
This rifle looks to have seen a useful life but also appears to have been fairly well maintained, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors with its uncommon configuration. 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
