Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

steve004 on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:14:01 +0000

I'm surprised they didn't put new wood on it.

mrcvs on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:52:37 +0000

Mark Douglas said
I'm in agreement with Rick and Bill.
In addition to having gone through a recent mediocre restoration, retaining 0% original finish and having a new barrel installed, the serial number appears to have been hand stamped with an incorrect font and poor spacing. The 0, 2 and especially the 7 are quite a lot different. Winchester serial numbers from this timeframe were typically much more evenly spaced and aligned. Here's an example of a serial number from an 1886 from the same timeframe in my collection for comparison:

It certainly raises the question of whether or not this was the original serial number applied to this tang. Mark

Now that you point that out…

Makes me suspect the rifle was created to match the letter.

Mark Douglas on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:49:28 +0000

I'm in agreement with Rick and Bill.

In addition to having gone through a recent mediocre restoration, retaining 0% original finish and having a new barrel installed, the serial number appears to have been hand stamped with an incorrect font and poor spacing. The 0, 2 and especially the 7 are quite a lot different. Winchester serial numbers from this timeframe were typically much more evenly spaced and aligned. Here's an example of a serial number from an 1886 from the same timeframe in my collection for comparison:

It certainly raises the question of whether or not this was the original serial number applied to this tang. Mark

Chris D on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:37:53 +0000

The wood shows only big dings, the lighter scratches and dings have been worked out of it.

The caibre stamping looks very off to me - it is too deep. As does the barrel stamp.

An easy pass, not an honest gun showing honest wear.

Chris

426crown on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:24:11 +0000

Rick got it right--don't touch it--I own 1 of the 86 takedowns in 50-100-450--it is almost perfect like My 50EX---I need that one in OB CB, not a refinished

piece..Bill

1873man on Newly acquired 1873

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:08:17 +0000

It got some nice fitting wood on it which is the first thing that goes bad if the gun is used a lot so if its got a good bore it would be worth $1300 as a shooter depending on who you sold it to. I know someone would buy the gun just to get the wood to put on their own gun.

Bob

Rick Hill on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:59:05 +0000

IMHO:

1. the wood has definitely been cleaned

2. the barrel age/condition/finish does not match the wood finish and has either been very professionally refinished or replaced

3. the receiver screw forward of the loading gate is obviously a replacement

4. the barrel chamfer is too pronounced and not Winchester finished

Jeremy P on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:54:52 +0000

Does any one feel the stampings' fonts/typeface are just a little..."off"? They seem pretty sharp and new looking but the wood condition (considering I agree it's had work done or cleaned up) doesn't match for me. The metal is nice and I like it as "well-cared for," but something is off for me....

Anthony on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:31:25 +0000

Makes me wonder if it was done on purpose in relevance to the other two screws on the same side, to show contrast and make it look more attractive!

Beauty being in the eye of the beholder!

Tony

Anthony on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:29:05 +0000

1892takedown on Newly acquired 1873

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:59:07 +0000

Cwright1016 said

How does one place value on these rifles? I’d like to get an idea. Knowing it’s shooter grade I wouldn’t expect much I imagine.

With one that has been altered, such as the one you have, Ive always quantified it by the total cost or value of original parts remaining if trying to establish a dollar value.

However, if it offers you lots of fun, use, and not a lot of worry about throwing it behind the truck seat from time to time, what difference does it make. The alternative would be to find a replacement barrel and magazine tube, provided it wont break the bank when rolled into the original purchase price.

Bert H. on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:52:07 +0000

helidriver72 said
What about that screw in front of the loading port, its the only one thats blue??

Good catch... it is an obvious clue that it has been replaced.

Bert

Cwright1016 on Newly acquired 1873

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:19:29 +0000

Thanks for the detail and uploading the photos. I really enjoy this rifle and its history. Though the cut barrel is unfortunate.

How does one place value on these rifles? I’d like to get an idea. Knowing it’s shooter grade I wouldn’t expect much I imagine.

helidriver72 on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:14:32 +0000

What about that screw in front of the loading port, its the only one thats blue??

Chuck on 1886 50-100 on GB

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:41:13 +0000

I agree with Anthony. The wood to metal fit is not good. Not only the butt plate but along the wrist area to the tang and receiver. The barrel seems too good for the rest of the rifle. It may be me but the lower tang seems to be proud of the wood?

You have heard me say this many times. Don't buy guns that you have not picked up.