Winchester Model 88 .308 WIn Detachable Mag Lever Action Rifle, 1966 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1155
LSB#: 210204AL37
Make: Winchester
Model: 88
Serial Number: 186421A
Year of Manufacture: 1966
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”, “-MODEL 88- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-”, “-CAL. .308 WIN.- / -WIN. PROOF STEEL-”. The top of the barrel at the receiver and the top of the receiver are each marked with a circled “WP” proof. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, serrated, ramped base fixed to the muzzle. The rear sight is a folding “U”-notch with white triangle aiming reference and the notch fine adjustable for elevation, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a one-piece Weaver base and rings installed holding a Bushnell Banner 3-9x scope with crosshair reticle. The scope has scattered light wear in the body with fairly clear glass, in about Very Good condition. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece walnut with capped pistol grip, straight comb, checkered black plastic buttplate, sling swivels front and rear, and basketweave press-textured forend and grip with oak-leaf motif. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scrapes and scratches. Most are in the buttstock toward the rear, but there is a more notable mark on the right below the front of the receiver. The texturing is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.25.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The lever assembly has infrequent minor surface oxidation. The action has minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition and would rate Excellent but for the wear in the stock.
Mechanics: The action functions smoothly and correctly. The action is tight. This rifle has a cross-bolt safety located at the front of the trigger guard. 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: The rifle comes with a single 5-round magazine and the installed scope as described. The magazine has light operational wear, there is scattered light wear on the floorplate, the feed lips are intact and the spring is strong. Overall, the magazine is in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 88 lever action rifle with a 22” barrel chambered in .308 Win. This model was made from 1955 to 1973, and was about the only lever action model chambered in a rifle cartridge without an external hammer that Winchester ever made, and had a removable magazine vs. the tubular magazine used on its other lever action rifles – a descendent of the Winchester Model 1895. This rifle is in about Fine condition with the vast majority of its original finish remaining and scattered light wear in the stock. The .308 Win. cartridge is versatile and easy to find ammunition in a variety of loadings. Anyone who hunts in the woods will appreciate its short 22” barrel and fast handling characteristics for fast shots on running game. Please see our photos and good luck!