Winchester Model 1886 Takedown .33 WCF 24″ Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1902 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3,452

LSB#: 240402GN020

Make: Winchester

Model: 1886, Takedown

Serial Number: 126294

Year of Manufacture: 1902 (Winchester Serial Lookup pg. 6)

Caliber: .33 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action Tubular Magazine Fed Lever Rifle, Takedown

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade with a white insert dovetailed to a boss above the muzzle. The rear sight is a U-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the top rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut featuring a nose cap, a straight grip, a straight comb and a metal buttplate. The wood shows mostly light and some moderate nicks, dings, scratches, compression and some minor handling and storage marks. There are a few tiny chips at the left rear of the buttstock. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks are in Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 or 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning and wear most notably on the receiver. There are scattered nicks, scratches and handling marks. There are mottled patches of light surface oxidation. The screw heads are well-defined. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half cock safety position. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.

Box, Paperwork & 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. It 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. The rifle looks to have seen honest use in the field, well kept with about 80% of its metal finish remaining, a great bore 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 in your bidding!

-J. Ren

Winchester Model 1886 Takedown .33 WCF 24" Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1902 C&R
Winchester Model 1886 Takedown .33 WCF 24″ Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1902 C&R