Winchester Model 1886 Takedown 33 W.C.F. 24″ Lever Action Rifle, 1910 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1850
LSB#: 210917MW29
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886, Takedown
Year of Manufacture: 1910
Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle
Serial Number: 150522
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. PAT. OCT. 14. 1884. JAN. 20. 1885.” forward of the rear sight, “-NICKEL STEEL BARREL- / ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER” under the rear sight and “33 W.C.F.” behind the rear sight. The top of the barrel at the rear is marked with a circled “WP” proof. The top of the chamber ring is marked with an ovalled “WP” proof, the top tang is marked “MODEL 1886 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom tang is marked “150522” behind the lever and “-PAT. OCT. 14.1884- / JAN. 20. 1885”. The takedown lever at the front of the magazine tube is marked “-PAT. JUNE 6.1893”.
Barrel Length: 24?
Sights: The front sight is a Winchester beach combination sight dovetailed to a base that is fixed to the barrel. When flipped up, the sight is a circle atop a post, when flipped down the sight is a white bead. The rear sight is a “U”-notch leaf and elevator sight with a shallow rounded top dovetailed to the rear of the barrel with the notch 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, straight grip, straight comb, checkered black hard rubber Winchester Repeating Arms Co. shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light compressions, drag lines and scuffs. There is a notable gash on the right side of the forearm and on the left side of the wrist. 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 scuffs and scratches along the edges with generally sharp checkering and a well defined logo. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 55% of its metal finish. The receiver is in the white with scattered surface oxidation and light pitting. The barrel shows scattered faint nicks and scratches with a couple notable mars to the right of the front sight and light surface oxidation on the bottom. The forearm cap and the magazine tube cap are in the white with light oxidation. The lever shows a light patina and some scattered finish loss with thinning at the leading edges. There is some faint blue remaining on the lower tang and light oxidation. The screw heads are mostly sharp with a few showing light tool marks. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. 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 at 7 lb, 9 oz. and is chambered for the .33 WCF cartridge, a standard chambering for the 1886 from 1902 until the model was discontinued. 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 use but was well kept with about 55% of its metal finish remaining and strong mechanics. While this would likely still make a good hunting rifle today, it’s also likely to attract Winchester collectors as it is a takedown. Either way, this is a nice old Winchester, perfect for any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!