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.
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
Not sure if you saw this M86 on GB (Winchester model 86, 33 WCF, serial # 157768,) with type 5 tang.
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 Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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 Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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
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 Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
3855
Data on Model 1886 SN 157513 follows:
Type: Rifle
Caliber: .33 WCF
Barrel:24 inches, round with rapid taper
Magazine: 1/2, 2 1/2 inches forward of forestock
Take-down: Yes
Stock: Stright
Butt-plate: Shotgun, Hard plastic
Front Sight:
Lyman Number 6 folding leaf sight
Lyman N-Ni receiver sight
Hope this is of interest.
Kirk
3855, I called CFM and Jesse informed me that my 1908 M1886 is not covered by the available records.
Model 1886 SN 146344
Type: Solid frame extra lightweight Rifle
Caliber: .45-70
Barrel:22 inches, round with rapid taper
Magazine: 1/2,
Stock: Straight
Butt-plate: Shotgun, Hard plastic
Front Sight and rear sight appear stock same as my .33WCF 1886.
Dan
Too bad you had it already. Glad to have it brings me up to 4 different 1886 calibers on original Winchester 1886 rifles. I guess they will be tougher and more expensive now that 33WCF, .40-65, .40-82. and .45-70 are safely secured in my collection. to find I would love to see your survey data sometime.
Dan
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