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June 26, 2013
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What do the 1886 experts think about the selling price on this one? Seems it went on the cheap side to me. How “rare” are set triggers on the 1886’s?
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/639878734
Don
April 15, 2005
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Don,
Because it is a late production (modern) rifle, blued, and the wood does not appear to be in the same condition as the rest of the rifle, it more than likely did not draw the interest of the more serious collectors.
Set triggers on a Model 1886 are not a “rare” feature by any stretch of the imagination, though they do add value to the rifle. In my opinion, somebody got a fairly good deal on that rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 26, 2013
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Thanks Bert. I’m drawn to the 1886’s with CCH frames more so than the blued ones as well. Even though the set trigger was a desirable feature I couldn’t bring myself to place a bid.
November 7, 2015
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Bought one I like better for a little less money last month, it’s about 12 years older and probably a better bore in 45-70. I don’t think he stole it but I’m no expert.
March 21, 2016
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I’m no expert either however even though octagon barrels and 45-90 caliber is what collectors seem to be drawn too in the 86, many will be more inclined to ante up more $ to get a nice CCH antique version.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015
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45-90 is a great cartridge if you’re shooting BP but IIRC (and I usually don’t) the 45-90 in a lever gun was generally an “express” gun designed to fire light-for-caliber bullets at higher than normal velocities with black powder. I’m a big fan of the 45-90 in a single shot rifle with Holy Black gently urging a heavy bullet along to a distant target but the express loading generally involved something similar to the Gould hollow point bullet (Lyman 457122?) over something close to 100 grs of F or FFg and long-range accuracy was not a primary objective. I haven’t had much luck with this strategy but that may have more to do with my preference for heavier bullets. The “express” cartridges for the most part died a quick death with the introduction of smokeless powder; a longer case was no longer required to hold enough powder to hurry things along a bit. A 45-70 with smokeless powder would generally do anything the 45-90 (and all the longer 45 BP cartridges) would do with less fuss.
A 45-90 1886 may be more attractive to some collectors but I’ll always be a shooter and the 45-70 IMHO is a better shooter than the 45-90 in a lever gun. I don’t know why someone who has no intention of ever firing a BP rifle round would be interested in an 1886 chambered for this round but that’s just me. Only reason I can think of is that the 45-90 is a much more interesting round in the 1886, quite honestly that’s probably enough.
March 21, 2016
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You make very good points above regarding 45-70 vs 45-90 from a shooting perspective, however in my extensive research on 1886s I’ve found that 45-90s are far more sought after by collectors and values reflect that.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015
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Kevin Jones said
You make very good points above regarding 45-70 vs 45-90 from a shooting perspective, however in my extensive research on 1886s I’ve found that 45-90s are far more sought after by collectors and values reflect that.
I’m sorry, that was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. I’m trying to learn to think like a collector but it’s very hard for me.
A certain 45-90 was my nemesis for years and even today I have a love/hate relationship with that cartridge. Now I have a very good 1874 C Sharps in 45-90 so I’m slowly recovering. I’d very much like to have an 1886 in 45-90 someday but at the moment I’m too much of a shooter to actually buy one. Rifles like yours and a few others I’ve seen are making me think the 45-90 was as special 100 years ago as it is now.
March 21, 2016
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No problem TX, I don’t believe I have a strong preference for one or the other. If presented with both for potential purchase, overall condition and configuration would be the determining factors.
I want to get more into shooting Winchesters. I generally shoot around 90 rounds per week from my Beretta FS9 or Sig P938, I need to get one of my Winchesters into the rotation.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
January 13, 2010
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My understanding was that there were only 6,000-7,000 1886 rifles with set triggers. I got one in 40-65 that is a second year, 10,000 serial number range with a single set trigger. The gun doesn’t have a ton of condition, but what it does have going for it is an early gun, made in 1887, set trigger and Browning Bros stamp on the barrel.
I kill game with it, and once in awhile end up in a magazine article using original Winchesters…
November 7, 2015
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Pretty sure I’ve read that article. Don’t read many gun rags any more but I enjoy reading what your friend writes when I can.
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