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March 3, 2020
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Was at a gun store this weekend, and saw an 1886, chambered in 45-70, on the rack. I don’t know much about 1886’s, but I know enough that the receivers did not come drilled/tapped for receiver sights and that magazine tube and butt plate don’t look original to the gun 🙂 However – the rest of the gun looked pretty nice and the bore is sharp, so I was thinking it might be a fun gun to shoot in silhouette matches.
Price tag was $2,000, though, which I thought maybe was a bit high for this gun. If you more knowledgeable 1886 folks would take a look at the pics and tell me what you think, I would be grateful.
I thought I took a picture of the serial number, but it looks like I missed that. I did look it up on the forum tool while there, and as I recall it dated to 1888.
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November 2, 2009
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You’re right about the mag tube being a probable replacement and the receiver sight is not factory. The barrel has also been relined.
March 3, 2020
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win4575 said
You’re right about the mag tube being a probable replacement and the receiver sight is not factory. The barrel has also been relined.
Relined, eh? I thought it looked too nice for such an old black powder gun. 🙂 The rifling is sharp and shiny.
April 15, 2005
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John D. said
win4575 said
You’re right about the mag tube being a probable replacement and the receiver sight is not factory. The barrel has also been relined.
Relined, eh? I thought it looked too nice for such an old black powder gun. 🙂 The rifling is sharp and shiny.
Definitely relined. Look closely at the muzzle face and you can see the ring. Further, the very deep chamfer at the bore entrance is not typical Winchester work. The sharp and bright rifling is also a clue… 138-year old black powder rifles in used condition almost never have a bore in that condition.
I suspect that the butt stock is also a replacement. More than likely that rifle will letter with a standard crescent rifle butt.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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John-
With that sight package and shiny relined bore I think you may have a fun gun to shoot silly wet matches with. You may be right about the price as it has little appeal as a collector piece. I’m thinking it’s a pretty good shooter, or at least one previous custodian thought so.
Mike
June 4, 2017
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I think 2k is high. If you decide to sell it later it won’t go away for that to any knowledgeable collector. At $1200 it might. I would ask for a guaranty that it feeds and firers accurately, all surprises are bad surprises when it comes to buying guns. T/R
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