Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

mrcvs on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 23:07:22 +0000

TXGunNut said

mrcvs said

kevindpm61 said
Lots of varnish


Probably. Unless the seller applied something to make it glossy that wipes off, although this seems unlikely.


Snake oil or something similar is my guess. Pics of the stampings are conspicuously absent and what we can see of wood to metal finish seems good. Colors are too bright for me but it keeps coming back to the wood not matching the metal. 3 day return with a 25% restocking fee. Yep, that's right, $22,500. Seems we've discussed one of his other listings recently. Remarks about multiple expert appraisals and a sale by RIA raise a red flag or two. Glad I don't play in that ballpark.

Mike

If that rifle is original, I’ll fly to the Cody show and treat everyone to a steak dinner after the show.

steve004 on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 22:25:24 +0000

I had also wondered if something like Snake Oil had been wiped all over it - but that still wouldn't explain the use on the wood not matching up with the metal. And yes, we have discussed some of this seller's offerings before.

Bert H. on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 21:59:21 +0000

426crown said
I guess we should let Colby sell our guns--Bill

Only if you want them to sit in his shop until your grandchildren are old & gray.

TXGunNut on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 20:44:51 +0000

mrcvs said

kevindpm61 said
Lots of varnish

Probably. Unless the seller applied something to make it glossy that wipes off, although this seems unlikely.

Snake oil or something similar is my guess. Pics of the stampings are conspicuously absent and what we can see of wood to metal finish seems good. Colors are too bright for me but it keeps coming back to the wood not matching the metal. 3 day return with a 25% restocking fee. Yep, that's right, $22,500. Seems we've discussed one of his other listings recently. Remarks about multiple expert appraisals and a sale by RIA raise a red flag or two. Glad I don't play in that ballpark.

Mike

426crown on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 20:05:17 +0000

I guess we should let Colby sell our guns--Bill

426crown on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 20:04:14 +0000

From: Colby Damron <cmdamron@mallardsguns.com>

To: wds1948@yahoo.com <wds1948@yahoo.com>; Accounts <accounts@mallardsguns.com>

Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 08:59:02 AM MDT

Subject: Re: An inquiry regarding your GunsInternational.com listing #103619660

Sir,

This rifle is not refinished; it has been appraised several times by professionals and even once sold for a higher price at Rock Island. I have refinished rifles in my inventory that I clearly put on the sales tag "refinished". We are a legitimate business, and we don't waste our time.

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From: Contactseller@gunsinternational.com <Contactseller@gunsinternational.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2026 6:17:18 AM
To: Accounts <Accounts@mallardsguns.com>
Subject: An inquiry regarding your GunsInternational.com listing #103619660

Regarding your listing on GunsInternational.com

Name: william stratton
Email: wds1948@yahoo.com
Phone Number: (575) 779-2188
Question/Message:
This rifle was redone--poorly I might add. Price would best be under 4000.00 IMHO

GI#: 103619660
SKU#: 409540
Title: Winchester Model 1886 40-82 WCF
Description: Manufactured in 1894, this Winchester Model 1886 is an exceptional and remarkably fresh example of one of the most important lever action rifles of the American frontier. Designed by the legendary John Moses Browning, the Model 1886 represented a major advancement over Winchester’s earlier toggle-link rifles, introducing the immensely strong locking-block action capable of handling the era’s powerful big bore cartridges. Chambered for the hard-hitting .40-82 W.C.F., the Model 1886 quickly earned a reputation for strength, reliability, and rapid repeating firepower, becoming one of the definitive “express” rifles of the late 19th century. Its robust design also allowed it to transition seamlessly into the smokeless powder era, securing production longevity through 1935 and cementing its legacy among the most respected Winchester lever actions ever produced.
Factory records confirm this rifle was received at the warehouse on March 30, 1894, and shipped the following day in order number 11475. The letter lists the rifle in .40-82 caliber with an octagon barrel and plain trigger. Retaining the highly desirable casehardened frame standard to early production rifles, this example easily ranks among the finest surviving standard configuration antique Model 1886 rifles encountered today. The barrel bears the correct two-line Winchester address and “40-82 W.C.F.” caliber marking at the breech, while the upper tang carries the model designation and the lower tang displays the patent dates and serial number.
The rifle is fitted with desirable sporting sights consisting of a No. 21 German silver blade front and elevation adjustable No. 22 rear sight. It is mounted with an attractive smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock showing handsome wavy grain, paired with a smooth steel crescent buttplate. Standard configuration Model 1886 rifles in this level of condition are extraordinarily difficult to find today, as the vast majority saw decades of hard frontier use. This rifle stands as a superb representation of Winchester’s golden age and one of the finest surviving examples of Browning’s iconic big-frame lever action design.

Condition:
Excellent plus. The barrel and magazine tube retain 97% plus of the original blue finish overall with a few handing marks. The breech bolt retains 98% plus of the bright original blue finish. 98% of the bright original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 98% plus of the stunning, vibrant original case colors. The forend cap, hammer, lever, and buttplate retain 95% original case colors. The wood is also excellent with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.

Price: $89,999.99

GunsInternational.com Message: We want potential buyers visiting GunsInternational.com to feel free to share their email addresses with those listing firearms and gun related items for sale on our website. By accessing this website, you agree not to use information concerning other users of GunsInternational.com, or the firearms or gun related items they have listed or searched for on this website (including listing information, user names, email addresses, telephone numbers, and/or other information), for any purpose other than to explore the potential purchase or sale of a listed firearm or gun related item.

Bert H. on 1876 questions

Sun, 24 May 2026 15:14:01 +0000

Hotchkiss10 said
I cleaned up this Winchester a bit and on the stock it has some numbers. Also has numbers on the frame. Should these numbers match the serial number?

No, they should not. The numbers you found are assembly numbers used to pair up the parts again during final assembly after being returned from final finishing. The numbers were usually stamped on the inside left side of the lower tang and in the upper tang stock channel.

Bert

Hotchkiss10 on 1876 questions

Sun, 24 May 2026 13:31:10 +0000

I cleaned up this Winchester a bit and on the stock it has some numbers. Also has numbers on the frame. Should these numbers match the serial number?

mrcvs on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 12:43:59 +0000

kevindpm61 said
Lots of varnish

Probably. Unless the seller applied something to make it glossy that wipes off, although this seems unlikely.

Buck1967 on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 12:14:07 +0000

mrcvs said
This one sure looks refinished to me.
Comments?
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1886/winchester-model-1886-40-82-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103619660
Who wants to inform the seller he needs to divide his asking price by 30?
For starters, a rifle in such “high” condition would be unlikely to have suffered such abuse to the wood both sides of the wrist.

We just had a post about inflated prices on eBay, guess we need to start one on GI too. Even I wouldn’t have been fooled by this one. To be fair he didn’t price it wrong. He just priced it 100 years too soon 😀

kevindpm61 on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 11:09:34 +0000

Lots of varnish

426crown on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 10:14:39 +0000

Looks like a Turnbill CH, but the wood??

mrcvs on Winchester 1886 Rifle in .40-82

Sun, 24 May 2026 04:33:54 +0000

This one sure looks refinished to me.

Comments?

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1886/winchester-model-1886-40-82-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103619660

Who wants to inform the seller he needs to divide his asking price by 30?

For starters, a rifle in such “high” condition would be unlikely to have suffered such abuse to the wood both sides of the wrist.

Zebulon on Opinions on (Browning) 1885 High Wall 40/65 BPCR model.?

Sat, 23 May 2026 17:13:41 +0000

I knew I could count on my friends to offer encouragement. Blessings on your respective houses.

Steve, I did get (through Amazon, apparently now the only source; Wolfe doesn't sell them directly) the 9th edition of the primer you recommend. Very informative and will eventually be useful.

Last evening I reviewed and then analyzed my Amex bill, as I always do before paying it. The sharp dose of reality convinced me I did not truly need to go adventuring in the land of the 40-65 Winchester, at least for a little while.

I decided I needed instead a Marble Arms tang sight for my impending 250-3000 Savage - and a set of dies and a bag of brass -- all at a fraction of the cost of another rifle. For the time being.

I'll report as events warrant.

tim tomlinson on Opinions on (Browning) 1885 High Wall 40/65 BPCR model.?

Sat, 23 May 2026 14:42:12 +0000

Zeb, I know of one man who shoots a single shot in .40-65. However his custom barrel has a faster twist than normal and he shoots heavier bullets. I do not know his charge weight nor his bullet weight. He used to compete in Raton but how competitive I also don't know. He is the first person I saw who was straight on our short range silhouettes, tho. Make of it as you will. IF you so desire, I say go for it. It will be a reloading proposition but then you do that now. Odds are you can find some heavy bullets if you so desire to try for longer range oomph. Tim