Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

Chuck on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 19:06:48 +0000

If this was an original rifle in about the same condition it would be about a $10K rifle. If the wood was as nice as the metal it may be worth as much as 15K.

TR on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 18:45:32 +0000

I did a Google search and no hit. Next step I would ask for good photos after the gun was wiped dry including screw heads looking for machine chatter marks. A gun that large if redone would have flaws. What about the wood? What about the price?

At a gun show I would stop look and keep on walking. T/R

Bert H. on Winchester 1892 - mfg. 1906

Mon, 25 May 2026 17:26:14 +0000

What is the serial number? Without it, we can only guess at the date of manufacture.

tim tomlinson on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 15:57:33 +0000

Folks, I suggest T/R wade in as more than likely, if it did sell through RIA, he has a record of it. If so it would be interesting how its condition was described and what it looked like at that time. Hope I haven't unfairly pointed at Tom. Tim

Zebulon on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 15:31:30 +0000

Steve, I think we're all agreed the finishes are not original. What is surprising to me is how stupid he thinks his customer base must be.

steve004 on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 13:28:57 +0000

The use on the wood is not the only thing that impacts my opinion. If the wood were pristine, I would not accept the case colors as original.

Goatkeeper on Winchester 1892 - mfg. 1906

Mon, 25 May 2026 07:55:37 +0000

Got a hand on a 1892 Winchester in .44-40 WCF, according to the serial no. in 1906 (happy to hear wether I am right about that).

Shows some wear, but cycling is great. It pairs excellent to my Winchester 1906 in .22 short from 1907.

Zebulon on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 01:58:44 +0000

Bert H. said

steve004 said
I had also wondered if something like Snake Oil had been wiped all over it - but that still wouldn't explain the use on the wood not matching up with the metal. And yes, we have discussed some of this seller's offerings before.

100% Positively recase color finished.

That couldn't have been cheap to do. I wonder why whoever paid for it didn't have an equivalent job done on the wood. This is not the only half-done restoration attempt I've seen. I suppose we shouldn't discount intervening illness or death as a reason.

Bert H. on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Mon, 25 May 2026 01:31:06 +0000

steve004 said
I had also wondered if something like Snake Oil had been wiped all over it - but that still wouldn't explain the use on the wood not matching up with the metal. And yes, we have discussed some of this seller's offerings before.

100% Positively recase color finished.

mrcvs on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 23:07:22 +0000

TXGunNut said

mrcvs said

kevindpm61 said
Lots of varnish


Probably. Unless the seller applied something to make it glossy that wipes off, although this seems unlikely.


Snake oil or something similar is my guess. Pics of the stampings are conspicuously absent and what we can see of wood to metal finish seems good. Colors are too bright for me but it keeps coming back to the wood not matching the metal. 3 day return with a 25% restocking fee. Yep, that's right, $22,500. Seems we've discussed one of his other listings recently. Remarks about multiple expert appraisals and a sale by RIA raise a red flag or two. Glad I don't play in that ballpark.

Mike

If that rifle is original, I’ll fly to the Cody show and treat everyone to a steak dinner after the show.

steve004 on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 22:25:24 +0000

I had also wondered if something like Snake Oil had been wiped all over it - but that still wouldn't explain the use on the wood not matching up with the metal. And yes, we have discussed some of this seller's offerings before.

Bert H. on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 21:59:21 +0000

426crown said
I guess we should let Colby sell our guns--Bill

Only if you want them to sit in his shop until your grandchildren are old & gray.

TXGunNut on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 20:44:51 +0000

mrcvs said

kevindpm61 said
Lots of varnish

Probably. Unless the seller applied something to make it glossy that wipes off, although this seems unlikely.

Snake oil or something similar is my guess. Pics of the stampings are conspicuously absent and what we can see of wood to metal finish seems good. Colors are too bright for me but it keeps coming back to the wood not matching the metal. 3 day return with a 25% restocking fee. Yep, that's right, $22,500. Seems we've discussed one of his other listings recently. Remarks about multiple expert appraisals and a sale by RIA raise a red flag or two. Glad I don't play in that ballpark.

Mike

426crown on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 20:05:17 +0000

I guess we should let Colby sell our guns--Bill

426crown on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 20:04:14 +0000

From: Colby Damron <cmdamron@mallardsguns.com>

To: wds1948@yahoo.com <wds1948@yahoo.com>; Accounts <accounts@mallardsguns.com>

Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 08:59:02 AM MDT

Subject: Re: An inquiry regarding your GunsInternational.com listing #103619660

Sir,

This rifle is not refinished; it has been appraised several times by professionals and even once sold for a higher price at Rock Island. I have refinished rifles in my inventory that I clearly put on the sales tag "refinished". We are a legitimate business, and we don't waste our time.

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Contactseller@gunsinternational.com <Contactseller@gunsinternational.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2026 6:17:18 AM
To: Accounts <Accounts@mallardsguns.com>
Subject: An inquiry regarding your GunsInternational.com listing #103619660

Regarding your listing on GunsInternational.com

Name: william stratton
Email: wds1948@yahoo.com
Phone Number: (575) 779-2188
Question/Message:
This rifle was redone--poorly I might add. Price would best be under 4000.00 IMHO

GI#: 103619660
SKU#: 409540
Title: Winchester Model 1886 40-82 WCF
Description: Manufactured in 1894, this Winchester Model 1886 is an exceptional and remarkably fresh example of one of the most important lever action rifles of the American frontier. Designed by the legendary John Moses Browning, the Model 1886 represented a major advancement over Winchester’s earlier toggle-link rifles, introducing the immensely strong locking-block action capable of handling the era’s powerful big bore cartridges. Chambered for the hard-hitting .40-82 W.C.F., the Model 1886 quickly earned a reputation for strength, reliability, and rapid repeating firepower, becoming one of the definitive “express” rifles of the late 19th century. Its robust design also allowed it to transition seamlessly into the smokeless powder era, securing production longevity through 1935 and cementing its legacy among the most respected Winchester lever actions ever produced.
Factory records confirm this rifle was received at the warehouse on March 30, 1894, and shipped the following day in order number 11475. The letter lists the rifle in .40-82 caliber with an octagon barrel and plain trigger. Retaining the highly desirable casehardened frame standard to early production rifles, this example easily ranks among the finest surviving standard configuration antique Model 1886 rifles encountered today. The barrel bears the correct two-line Winchester address and “40-82 W.C.F.” caliber marking at the breech, while the upper tang carries the model designation and the lower tang displays the patent dates and serial number.
The rifle is fitted with desirable sporting sights consisting of a No. 21 German silver blade front and elevation adjustable No. 22 rear sight. It is mounted with an attractive smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock showing handsome wavy grain, paired with a smooth steel crescent buttplate. Standard configuration Model 1886 rifles in this level of condition are extraordinarily difficult to find today, as the vast majority saw decades of hard frontier use. This rifle stands as a superb representation of Winchester’s golden age and one of the finest surviving examples of Browning’s iconic big-frame lever action design.

Condition:
Excellent plus. The barrel and magazine tube retain 97% plus of the original blue finish overall with a few handing marks. The breech bolt retains 98% plus of the bright original blue finish. 98% of the bright original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 98% plus of the stunning, vibrant original case colors. The forend cap, hammer, lever, and buttplate retain 95% original case colors. The wood is also excellent with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.

Price: $89,999.99

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