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As many of you know, for some time now I have been conducting a survey on late model Winchester 1886’s. I am looking for those rifles for which no factory documentation exists, specifically those serial numbers between 146,000 – 150,799 and between 156,600-160,000. Someday, when enough examples for a valid sample are obtained, a document will be published in the Winchester Collector providing insight on those roughly 8000 missing serial numbers.
I currently have quantified 159 and looking for more. If you have such a rifle I would love to add it to the survey. The information I am looking for is the serial number and all the information one would normally find in a factory letter should that information be available. Here are the specific items I am looking for:
Caliber
takedown or solid frame
magazine length
barrel configuration and length,
butt stock type
butt plate
any and all special order features
Ownership of these rifles is not noted and those providing data on their rifles remain anonymous.
You can reply to this forum, in a PM or directly to me at the following email address:
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Rapid taper, standard taper, extra heavy. All 45 caliber.
Here’s one you probably don’t have:
SN 146590
45-70, TD, SGB, 22″ RB, 3/4 Mag, Lyman 21 Receiver Sight
Mark
Thanks Mark,
That is indeed another one I will add to the survey. The longer magazine makes this one stand out a bit. That is only the second one showing up with that length at this time.
Thanks
Rapid taper, standard taper, extra heavy. All 45 caliber.
Just picked this one up last weekend
SN# 158648
33WCF, TD, SGB, Hard rubber butt plate, 24″Barrel, 1/2 Mag Type 6 Upper tang Marking.
I’m interested in the Barrel markings on these late 86s
Dan
Dan,
Is the barrel marked “Nickel Steel” or “Proof Steel”?
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
Bert, It is nickel steel. It also has —MODEL 1886— on the opposite side. That is only model 1886 designation on the rifle. I didn’t think the Type 6 Tang was as early as 1920 but the M86 info by JOHN T. MADL indicates that is possible. I need to locate the his complete M86 works. It also has MADE IN U.S.A. between the Winchester Repeating Arms New Haven Conn. USA ,Patent dates markings and the Nickel steel/ Smokeless powder markings ?? Export markings??
Dan
Thanks Dan,
Check your email.
Rapid taper, standard taper, extra heavy. All 45 caliber.
Not sure if you saw this M86 on GB (Winchester model 86, 33 WCF, serial # 157768,) with type 5 tang.
I have that one, thanks.
Rapid taper, standard taper, extra heavy. All 45 caliber.
Came across this one at Merz–serial # 148042. Not sure if you have it in the survey or not.
Don
Thanks Don,
Yes, that one is already in the survey.
Rapid taper, standard taper, extra heavy. All 45 caliber.
Not sure if you want any later serial numbers past 150,000 or not, I have a 33 rifle #151607A and a 33 rifle TD #157082 both from around 1911, if you need the info from them let me know. Thanks Texas
Texas MacDonald said
Not sure if you want any later serial numbers past 150,000 or not, I have a 33 rifle #151607A and a 33 rifle TD #157082 both from around 1911, if you need the info from them let me know. Thanks Texas
Yes, we would like to get the information fro them, especially the later rifle.
1. Magazine length (e.g. 1/2, or Full)
2. Butt plate type (e.g. Hard Rubber, or steel)
3. Barrel alloy (e.g. Nickel Steel, Proof Steel, or Stainless Steel)
Do you have a letter for 151607 ? Serial number 157082 is at least several years later than 1911. My best guess is 1919.
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
hello Bert,
The later serial number 157082, is 1/2 mag, takedown, 24″bbl, nickel steel for smokeless powder. 33 Win. caliber. When I got it 25-30 years ago the pistol grip butt stock was poor so I ordered a new one outa Lumby BC. I think it was Wilcox Gun works. Its a standard crescent steel plate as most 94 rifles have but the top portion is 2-1/4″ long a bit longer than some model 94’s. I replaced the original sights with newer ones so I could see better for shooting. (originals are put away for future). I carried this rifle to most of the remote mines I worked in in Canada and used it to hunt Grizzley Bear, Black bear, Caribou, and white tails. Its a great shooter. I was mistaken on the year and I guess when I looked quickly I mistook the “7” for a “1”.
The second 33 Win is 151607 A, 1/2mag, 24″ smokeless steel BBL, strait shotgun style stock with flat black butt plate c/w Winchester logo. (hard rubber/plastic or what ever they used then). Its from an old trapper that used it mostly for moose and bear and whitetails.
I have a tough time finding the 338 dia. Hornady 200 GR. FP #3315, lead to reload with. Do you have any ideas where there may be old stock at a reasonable price?
I have a couple older 86’s as well, 126xxx, 124xxx and 245xx if you needed info from them as well.
I see you like the high walls, I also have a earlier 1885 # 8165. When i got it in the early 1980’s it would not even make a good boat anchor. It came from Sask. Canada and I got it in Ont. I had it professionally re-barreled to 44-mag octagon slight taper Shilen bbl from its original 38-40 caliber as well as new wood by a lad in Houston TX. I had figured it was too far gone to be left original cept for a wall hanger and I like to shoot all my guns if at all possible. Its a beautiful companion for my Texas Longhorn Arms #5, 44 mag single action for hunting. If you wanted pictures I could post a couple later on. Texas.
Texas,
Thanks for the updated information. I would like to see pictures of 157082.
I do not have any information regarding a source for the bullets, but maybe one of the other fellows here on the forum will.
Yes, I like the old high-wall rifles… a lot!
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
Bert and Texas,
I shoot my .33 Win rather regularly at our silhouette shoots. Thus I go through a lot of bullets in a year’s time. Hornady quit making the flat point bullet a fair number of years ago. I do not know that they have geared up to make them since. However, I have had good luck with their flex tip bullet in the 200 grain weight. My .33 will feed them from the magazine into the chamber when crimped in the cannelure on the bullet, but I have heard that others have 1886’s in .33 that will not feed them if crimped at that location. I still have a small supply of the original 200 grain flat point bullet, as I bought a bunch of boxes when I heard they quit making them. Back then you could purchase direct from Hornady, and unless that has restarted recently, that option went away as well. My recommendation is get a box of the 200 grain pointed, flex tip bullets, and see if they feed in your rifle. If so, then you have a new bullet to use. If not, experiment with a crimp on the bullet ahead of the cannelure.
Tim
Thanks for the info Tim.
Hello Bert, I tried to post some pictures but don’t know how. I took them and have the sized well on the desktop of my pc but can’t seem to get them loaded. Ant ideas or instructions?
In talking with one of my sons this evening he also has a 1886 takedown 33 WCF. Ser. #143421, takedown, full length mag, strait butt stock c/w shotgun style hard rubber plate c/w Winchester logo. 24″ BBL. I forgot to ask him about bbl marking of what kinda steel I see as I write this. Texas..
Texas MacDonald said
Thanks for the info Tim.Hello Bert, I tried to post some pictures but don’t know how. I took them and have the sized well on the desktop of my pc but can’t seem to get them loaded. Ant ideas or instructions?
In talking with one of my sons this evening he also has a 1886 takedown 33 WCF. Ser. #143421, takedown, full length mag, strait butt stock c/w shotgun style hard rubber plate c/w Winchester logo. 24″ BBL. I forgot to ask him about bbl marking of what kinda steel I see as I write this. Texas..
As a WACA Guest, you are not able to directly post pictures. You will need to use a 3rd party host website to post links to your pictures. You can send them directly to me at [email protected]
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
I got pictures off to you this am. the one photo shows the new bbl on the 1885c/writing on it. If it is not clear enough it says:
on the top flat
44 MAGNUM
on the side flat
BUILT FOR MR. TEXAS MACDONALD
McKERROW ONT. CANADA
BY KEITH DEHART HOU. TX
The marbles tang site has a nov. 08 date on it. I had gotten it brand new in a original box that had been stored for many years and it seemed close to correct to use as an additional site.
Texas..
