November 7, 2015

Glanced at a very nice restored 1886 TD in 45-70 today. Wood very nice and still proud of the steel. CC on receiver et al seemed well done. Blue very nice. Looking for a nice original but this one started eating on me after I got home. $5K sounds a bit stiff but I’m looking for an attractive shooter and I’m set up to load (and cast) for 45-70. Restoration could have cost as much as $3K, in this price range (for me) it needs to be an investment grade gun.
Wish I’d gotten the serial # but I didn’t want to seem too interested.
TXGunNut said
Glanced at a very nice restored 1886 TD in 45-70 today. Wood very nice and still proud of the steel. CC on receiver et al seemed well done. Blue very nice. Looking for a nice original but this one started eating on me after I got home. $5K sounds a bit stiff but I’m looking for an attractive shooter and I’m set up to load (and cast) for 45-70. Restoration could have cost as much as $3K, in this price range (for me) it needs to be an investment grade gun.Wish I’d gotten the serial # but I didn’t want to seem too interested.
I’m with you in only wanting to put my $$ in original/investment grade Winchesters, however I too have seen a couple very nice 86 restorations on-line that have caused me to stop and take notice. However these beauties were in the $7000>$9000 range. So I would say for someone whose looking for a high-condition restored 86 that $5000 isn’t a bad price. An “original” 86 45/70 TD in the condition you describe would probably be in the $20,000>$25,000+ range.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 7, 2015

Quite honestly I’m not looking to buy right now but if I was I’d be tempted. An 1886 is a pretty big investment for me so I’d probably be ahead to stick with an original. I’d likely have no reservations about taking an to the range or hunting but a restoration would be a safe queen and at this point I’m avoiding this type of rifle…but I sure enjoyed the eye candy!
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