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Wanting the community’s thoughts on this Model 1886. The gun appears honest with the exception of maybe the front sight? I realize there isn’t any finish left to speak of and the bore is described as, “…slightly dark but flat. Has no shine. The rifling is well defined”. Screws look like the rifle hasn’t been disassembled much over the last 137 years. I’ll write CFM for the records to confirm configuration. Asking price is $2150 Your thoughts? More/ better pictures on Google Drive. Regards, Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
Ron,
I personally like the originality of the honest looking rifle. This model 1887, serial number #111780, was mfg. in 1897, making it 127 years old, and an Antique. Sounds like you’re contemplating buying it. I like the way you’re approaching it, and as the information you receive from Cody verifies the Barrel, and measuring it’s length, which I suspect, as being correct, the front sight, possibly not being correct, doesn’t bother me at all. The Octagon barrel, looks nice to me as I find it desirable. I’d be interested to see the information regarding not only it’s length, but if it’s a heavier than standard weight barrel. I like the 45-70 caliber as that’s very desirable also.
I look forward to a few other members comments who specialize in this model.
Let us know how you make out.
Anthony
Ron,
The 1886 is a later lightened 86 with the small wood, single curve butt plate, and tapered barrel but early enough to still be antique with a case frame. Good caliber and used but not abused. If it letters, feeds, and fires the price is right.
You can have a lot of fun with a gun like that. Smokeless powder ammo is easily bought or loaded. The feed and fire is important to check on this type of gun.
T/R
TR said
Ron,The 1886 is a later lightened 86 with the small wood, single curve butt plate, and tapered barrel but early enough to still be antique with a case frame. Good caliber and used but not abused. If it letters, feeds, and fires the price is right.
You can have a lot of fun with a gun like that. Smokeless powder ammo is easily bought or loaded. The feed and fire is important to check on this type of gun.
T/R
I have a few BPCRs- my favorite being a C. Sharps 40-70SS but it’s heavy rifle! I have a Springfield trapdoor and an Uberti in 45-70, just have the itch for a lever in the same. Thanks for the reply.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
Configuration checks out..
WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 – SERIAL NUMBER 111780
Serial number applied on February 01, 1897
Type: Rifle
Caliber: 45/70
Barrel Type: Octagon
Trigger: Plain
Received in warehouse on February 27, 1897
Shipped from warehouse on March 01, 1897, Order number 4555
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
Good looking old rifle. Too bad someone needed to hit the barrel with a hammer. I have similar made 1902 in 3/4” mag tube, half octagon/round bbl. Think it’s a Extra Light Weight.
Good price on it!
Andy Kessner
[email protected]
"A Collector of Winchester Rifles"
Member Winchester Arms Collectors Association-7947
Member of Cody Firearms Museum
Member Houston Gun Collector Association
Lifetime Member of the NRA
Lifetime Member of Texas State Rifle Association
Andy and others, Over the years I’ve seen other rifles and had a few of my own with patterns of chatter marks. I have no idea why nor how, but don’t think these were done by a hammer. Mostly to me they look as if the rifle rode in a situation where it vibrated and it struck something hard. Kind of like being a “truck gun”, but maybe in a buck board or such. Kind of part of its history, but I have often wondered why and how. Tim PS. Some I’ve seen have the same chatter marks into the wood as well.
tim tomlinson said
Andy and others, Over the years I’ve seen other rifles and had a few of my own with patterns of chatter marks. I have no idea why nor how, but don’t think these were done by a hammer. Mostly to me they look as if the rifle rode in a situation where it vibrated and it struck something hard. Kind of like being a “truck gun”, but maybe in a buck board or such. Kind of part of its history, but I have often wondered why and how. Tim PS. Some I’ve seen have the same chatter marks into the wood as well.
Tim, I have an 1876 that has damage to the stock on the left side consistent with being a “truck gun” or perhaps a “wagon box” gun. This rifle is pretty nice overall, still has quite a bit of blue and some case hardening in protected areas. Even the set trigger works. I believe the rifle may have been inserted in a scabbard and placed loose in a truck bed or wagon box. The left side of the stock got marred by rocks or gravel.
Perhaps something similar happened to this 1886. It’s all part of the joy and frustration of collecting antique firearms!
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
We accumulators call that Patina. LOL
Andy Kessner
[email protected]
"A Collector of Winchester Rifles"
Member Winchester Arms Collectors Association-7947
Member of Cody Firearms Museum
Member Houston Gun Collector Association
Lifetime Member of the NRA
Lifetime Member of Texas State Rifle Association
I placed it on lay away and after the Christmas bills and taxes are paid, I’ll pay it off… If I had a story about the dents, I’d share but the PO didn’t provide any with the LGS. So, I’ll say it’s from using rocks as a rest over years of brown bear hunting in the mountains or something like that….
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
Yes, You can see it easily, This old Gal was rested atop the hard slate rock to dial in the shot using the level of 6 on the ladder sight which probably should drop that heavy 405 grain hand load right in the shoulder of the large Ram. The recoil was enough to bounce it around some adding a fresh brag mark and from the looks of it, that rock had been used a few times before. I always like to look at important events that occurred in the year of MFG. Mine was same year that the Wright Brothers flew the first heavier than air plane at Kitty Hawk. Wonder what was happening in 1897?
akessner said
Good looking old rifle. Too bad someone needed to hit the barrel with a hammer. I have similar made 1902 in 3/4” mag tube, half octagon/round bbl. Think it’s a Extra Light Weight.Good price on it!
Andy, if your rifle is an ELW the barrel should be 22″ and pulling the butt plate should reveal a hole about the size of a deck of cards. If it is as such having a half round barrel would be very unique. I have one exactly as described and is the only one I have ever seen. Not that that means much, but surely not often seen.
It fit all criteria you wrote exactly. Biggest issue was it has a crack inside the barrel that runs about 18-20 inches so not safe to shoot. I sold it to a gunsmith who was going to put a liner in it for restoration. Thanks for the information.
Andy Kessner
[email protected]
"A Collector of Winchester Rifles"
Member Winchester Arms Collectors Association-7947
Member of Cody Firearms Museum
Member Houston Gun Collector Association
Lifetime Member of the NRA
Lifetime Member of Texas State Rifle Association
I picked it up last week and gave it a quick cleaning- Kroil and JB bore paste for the barrel primarily. I was able to remove nearly all the gunk/ rust/ lead/ goo and fired three rounds in succession. It loads, fires, extracts, and ejects as it should. Load development is up next to see what it likes. I have both PB and GC .405 gn. molds and am leaning towards the GC for now. What is the correct front site for the rear ladder sight- guessing a Lyman 21A?
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
The greater majority of the Model 1886 rifles were equipped with a Lyman No. 4 Hunting sight.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I’d say that was a good purchase. I bought some lower pressure (Prvi Partizan?) 45-70 ammo for my trapdoor and that’s what I’d start out in this, but looks like you already shot it. Good find I think!
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