Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
Here is a very nice condition Model 1886 that I have found. The gun was purchased by the present 90 year old owners father in 1909. The gun was never used (yes hard to believe) and has been well stored for the past 106 years. the gun is in .33 cal., Rd barrel, full, mag, rifle butt, plain trigger, shipped in June 30, 1909, this is what I was able to find out from the records. I would like to ask these questions; Was Winchester still case coloring their levers, hammers, butt plates and nose caps at this date on 1886s. The checkering looks factory but is not in the records. What do we all think? There is a B after the serial number which if I remember right is correct for this era. The internals of this gun are like new also.
Road King,
It looks refinished. Blue is wrong and there are rounded corners
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Yes, looks refinished; not sure if wood is original. Shotgun buttplates prevailed during this time frame, as well. Yes, the serial number did end with a letter during this time frame, but mine from 1909 ends with an A. Levers and hammers were case-coloured at this time.
The gun letters correctly with the rifle butt. This is an amazing find if all is right, the CC kind of has me second guessing myself. Just wasn’t sure if Winchester was still case coloring their levers, hammers, butt plates and nose caps at this time period. The edges on the frame are not rounded and the screw holes are not dished. If this gun was refinished they replaced all the internals with new parts.
From what I see in the pictures I don’t believe its original (higher resolution pictures would be better). Maybe in person it looks different but I see the blue is the wrong color and the metal finish is wrong. I see rounding at the front of the receiver and the back edge of the receiver, its close but not what Winchester did. It should be a sharp edge. The checkering looks like early course checkering. It has deluxe grade checkered wood which does not letter which is a sign of a gun that has been enhanced. The internals are normally refinished when done by a good restoration outfit.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I have a late solid frame , F.M. 86 in 33 WCF 154485 A . The A means screw in Mag tube change. Mine letters with Rifle butt, both “date in”, and ” shipped 5-23-1919″
Phil
First of all, it is a gorgeous looking rifle. The “purchased new but never fired” for over 100 years seems too good to be true.
The case hardened/blued scheme appears to be correct, if under serial number 152,000.
The blue looks too good/new even if it was stored and never used.
The wood looks like a special order upgrade, especially the forend. Winchester did not use assembly numbers on standard 1886 rifles but did on special order rifles. Since the wood and checkering don’t letter, you might check for assembly numbers on the left side of the lower tang, the toe of the buttplate and on the upper wrist of the stock under the tang.
There is no mention of the barrel – should be 24″ if standard and is it in unfired condition?
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Very pretty 86. Brian. Hard to tell about the finish from pics for sure. The blueing colour looks a little off in the pics. You have held it in your hands I would assume and know what original Winchester finishes look like. If refinished it is a top shelf job. No record of a return to factory either?
Hi Guys and thanks for the comments. I know the photos don’t really help for good assessment of the gun as I didn’t have my camera with me at the time when I was looking at the 86. Here is the issue, this guy not only have the 86 but also an 1892 TD that was also bought at the same time of the 86 and it has the same story, it was put away and never used. I bought the 92 with no questions asked and took it home and then got the call there is another rifle to sell and that is the 86. What are the chances of finding 2 Winchesters from the same year together in this condition? I have no reason to believe the 86 is not correct but it is so mint it has got me stumped.
Here is the 1892.
Road King,
The 92 looks beautiful, nice gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Wow!! I wish I could get phone calls about guns like that. The number of Winchester rifles that were purchased a century ago and never used must be incredibly small. And two at the same address!
RK
The 86 looks to be reblued, there are several tell tail signs.
the 92 looks to be original, very nice rifle.
Wonder if he has an unused 1885 High Wall?
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Beautiful 1892 Road King!
I thought the 1886 looked refinished in the pictures provided also. Maybe it’s just the picture but the rear barrel sight looks odd/different to me too.
Brad
Good eye, Brad. And, where’s the elevator? Looks like one can see light in the slot where it should be. Serrated edges?
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
1 Guest(s)
