Original Item: Only One Available. The Winchester Model 1886 is considered by many collectors to be one of the finest lever action repeating rifles ever produced. This highly customized Deluxe example is chambered in .40-82 Winchester Center Fire, marked 40 - 82 W.C.F. over the chamber, and has a 26 inch octagonal barrel with a full length magazine tube. Serial number 19487, stamped on the lower receiver tang, dates its manufacture to 1888.

The rifle is fitted with a replacement bead front sight featuring a copper colored face and an iconic aftermarket Full Buckhorn adjustable rear sight marked D.W. KING.

This is a Deluxe or Fancy Sporting Rifle configuration with high grade checkered walnut stocks, a pistol grip buttstock, curved lower receiver tang, and corresponding curved operating lever. The wood displays exceptional figure, chatoyancy, and grain. As the rifle is moved in the light, the grain changes dramatically, with areas displaying an attractive tiger eye appearance.

The hammer, operating lever, and fore stock cap display decorative engraving. Without a Winchester factory letter, we cannot confirm whether this engraving was applied at the factory or added later.

The stocks received several additional custom alterations. The fore stock has four reddish wood inlays, with one on either side and two along the underside. Two additional inlays are present on the sides of the buttstock near the receiver. These may conceal a crossbolt or another earlier repair, but this could not be confirmed.

A thick reddish wood cap has also been fitted to the bottom of the pistol grip. The buttstock was extended by approximately one inch with a section of contrasting dark wood. The original checkered steel buttplate was then reinstalled on the end of the extension. Although these modifications are not factory standard, they give the rifle a distinctive and very attractive appearance.

The top barrel flat bears the early Winchester address:

--MANUFACTURED BY THE--
--WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.--

John Browning’s patent dates are stamped on the lower receiver tang:

PAT. OCT. 14. 1884
JAN. 20. 1885

The upper tang is marked:

- MODEL 1886. -

The stocks remain in excellent overall condition, particularly considering their age and later modifications. The metalwork has developed an attractive mottled patina from years of careful cleaning, without signs of major oxidation or damage. Strong original bluing remains on the breechblock and locking bolts, which were manufactured from a harder alloy than the surrounding receiver components.

The action is crisp, tight, and fully functional. It cycles easily and produces a crisp dry fire. We did not encounter any sticking or other mechanical deficiencies, although the rifle shows evidence of a considerable amount of past use.

The bore retains clear lands and grooves with a partially bright finish. There is overall wear from use, together with evidence of past fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned. We would rate the bore approximately 6 to 7 out of 10.

This early Model 1886 combines the desirable .40-82 chambering with Deluxe style checkered pistol grip stocks, a 26 inch octagonal barrel, full length magazine, period style Full Buckhorn rear sight, extensive decorative engraving, and numerous later stock customizations. Its honest wear and carefully maintained mechanical condition give it the appearance of a rifle that was extensively used and valued by a previous owner.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1888
Serial Number: 19487
Caliber: .40-82 Winchester
Cartridge Type: Centerfire cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 inches
Overall Length: 45 inches
Action Type: Lever action repeater
Feed System: Full length tubular magazine

More on the Winchester Model 1886

The Winchester Model 1886 originated with a design developed by John Moses Browning in Ogden, Utah, during the early 1880s. At the time, Browning and his brothers were producing a remarkably strong single shot rifle in the small brick workshop and sporting goods store they had constructed in downtown Ogden. Between approximately 1879 and 1883, the Browning brothers manufactured about 600 of these rifles, which were largely sold locally through their store.

According to the traditional account, Winchester salesman Andrew McAusland encountered one of the Browning rifles during his travels in 1883. He purchased it for $15 and sent it to Winchester’s management in New Haven, believing that the design would interest the company.

The rifle impressed Winchester Vice President Thomas G. Bennett, Oliver Winchester’s son-in-law, enough that Bennett traveled by train to Ogden to meet the Browning brothers and negotiate for the design. Winchester purchased the manufacturing rights and appointed the Browning brothers as Winchester dealers and jobbers. The rifle was subsequently introduced as the Winchester Model 1885 Single Shot.

Before Bennett departed Ogden, John Browning told him about another design he was developing, a powerful lever action repeater capable of handling the .45-70 Government cartridge. Bennett encouraged Browning to give Winchester the first opportunity to examine the new design when the prototype was completed.

In 1884, John and his brother Matthew Browning traveled to New Haven with the new repeating rifle. The design received U.S. Patent No. 306,577 on October 14, 1884. John Browning was only 29 years old, and this was already his fifth firearms patent.

The resulting Winchester Model 1886 was an exceptionally strong lever action capable of handling the large centerfire rifle cartridges that Winchester’s earlier toggle link actions could not safely accommodate. The first chamberings included .45-70 Government, .45-90 Winchester, and .40-82 Winchester. Additional cartridges followed, including the powerful .50-110 Winchester, introduced in the Model 1886 in 1887.

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.