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I inherited this 1886 and am interested in your opinion of the value. I’ve been doing research and see that value can vary quite a bit. It also has a very low serial number, functions smoothly, and has little wear. I did apply light oil down the barrel with a patch, but that’s about it. Any help would be appreciated. Please see below:
– Model: 1886
– Octagon barrel
– Serial 348
– Caliber 40-82 WCF
– Patent Oct 14, 1884 – Jan 20, 1885
– Manufacture Location: New Haven Conn.
Pictures:
Online
Looks like a good well used old “1886”, not a 1866. It really is an early gun actually 1st year,(1886), production. The only thing I seen out of place is the tang screw, it looks to long, maybe had a tang sight on it at one time. A chip out of the stock and I can’t tell by the pictures if the stocks match up or if replaced. I don’t know what You mean by manufacture location (Ohio). It was made in New Haven Connecticut. I’m sure You’ll get lots of response on this gun.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
I agree with Henry on everything he said. I’m thinking maybe your located in Ohio, as Henry stated, and it’s on the address on the rifle, mfg. in New Haven Conn. Looks to be a pretty honest rifle, all in all. Without seeing it in person, it’s hard to tell, really! IMO!
I also agree with Henry as the stock appears possibly suspect, as the inside corners against some metal show wear, and the chip, he pointed out, would seamed to have happened being apart, or worked on, as either mechanically, or sanded, rounding some corners. Usually on a rifle mfg. in 1186, the wood will show some shrinkage, but not that much, as to leave edges at the transition points. IMO!
Antonio
Henry Mero said
Looks like a good well used old “1886”, not a 1866. It really is an early gun actually 1st year,(1886), production. The only thing I seen out of place is the tang screw, it looks to long, maybe had a tang sight on it at one time. A chip out of the stock and I can’t tell by the pictures if the stocks match up or if replaced. I don’t know what You mean by manufacture location (Ohio). It was made in New Haven Connecticut. I’m sure You’ll get lots of response on this gun.
Right you are about the year and location, not sure what I was thinking. I’ve added some more photos to the link below for detail. Please let me know if you need to see anything else up close. Thanks!
Antonio said
I agree with Henry on everything he said. I’m thinking maybe your located in Ohio, as Henry stated, and it’s on the address on the rifle, mfg. in New Haven Conn. Looks to be a pretty honest rifle, all in all. Without seeing it in person, it’s hard to tell, really! IMO!I also agree with Henry as the stock appears possibly suspect, as the inside corners against some metal show wear, and the chip, he pointed out, would seamed to have happened being apart, or worked on, as either mechanically, or sanded, rounding some corners. Usually on a rifle mfg. in 1186, the wood will show some shrinkage, but not that much, as to leave edges at the transition points. IMO!
Antonio
Do the added pictures below help your assessment? Thanks!
The added pictures help to verify what I was saying as an assessment from afar. The bottom adjustment tang screw, being out too far, verifies what Henry was saying, and in that same picture shows, the rear bottom tang screw, behind the adjustment screw as a replacement. Almost looks like a stove bolt, as it’s not a gun screw. The trigger looks to have possibly been replaced as the bluing is very dark and newer compared to the rest of the rifle. A lot of good honest wear is evident on the old girl as it should be. It’s always nice to see these old rifles. Sure looks like it would be a fun gun to shoot, after it was thou rally checked out! IMHO! 
Thanks for sharing,
Antonio
Antonio said
The added pictures help to verify what I was saying as an assessment from afar. The bottom adjustment tang screw, being out too far, verifies what Henry was saying, and in that same picture shows, the rear bottom tang screw, behind the adjustment screw as a replacement. Almost looks like a stove bolt, as it’s not a gun screw. The trigger looks to have possibly been replaced as the bluing is very dark and newer compared to the rest of the rifle. A lot of good honest wear is evident on the old girl as it should be. It’s always nice to see these old rifles. Sure looks like it would be a fun gun to shoot, after it was thou rally checked out! IMHO!
Thanks for sharing,
Antonio
Antonio/Henry,
Do you advise I attempt to screw in the adjustment tang screw, or leave it as-is? Also, is the adjustment tang screw the one that’s touching the back part of the lever handle when closed (with the exposed threads)? In it’s current condition and age, what do you think this rifle is worth?
Thanks for the help!
Jeff
Also, the wood has been sanded and refinished.
Significant premium for single digit numbers, respectable premium for 2 digit serial numbers, slight premium for 3 digit serial numbers.
About the only thing I would do to this gun would be to replace the tang screw, the one that’s to long. That’s the screw that kinda holds the gun together, stock to frame that is, and the one at the rear of the tang, (stove bolt). Other than that I wouldn’t touch it, NO POLISHING ETC. . If I were buying that gun I wouldn’t want to pay more than $3500.00- $4000.00 for it, without seeing it in hand, although it is a very desireable ’86 , especially to a 1886 collector, having a 3 digit ser# and being a first year production. If it were a later gun in that condition I would say $1500.00. So I’m obviously saying most of the value for this gun is in the fact it is a 1st year production and very early ser#. There will be other , more informed 1886 collectors that may have a different and more accurate opinion of value than mine. I am basically a mod. 1894 collector , I have several 1st year production ’94’s and usually pay a premium for them when they come available. Let’s face it There were only 999 , 3 digit ’86’s manufactured, and We don’t know how many of them have survived. You have a very special Winchester My friend.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
I also agree with Ian, on the wood being refinished as I was waiting for that to be posted. IMO!
I think Ian’s numbers are a little more realistic down here in the lower 48, as Henry is up north of the border, and the number’s tend to be a little higher, mainly due to the exchange rate, and other factors. As a collector, and the first year lower serial number is the most attractive part of this rifle to me, as far as a model 1886, and not in the desirable 45-90 caliber, but in the very nice and also sought after 45-70 Caliber.
If you have a Letter from Cody or a work up sheet, from Cody, that might make it more attractive! IMO!
Antonio
Antonio said
I also agree with Ian, on the wood being refinished as I was waiting for that to be posted. IMO!I think Ian’s numbers are a little more realistic down here in the lower 48, as Henry is up north of the border, and the number’s tend to be a little higher, mainly due to the exchange rate, and other factors. As a collector, and the first year lower serial number is the most attractive part of this rifle to me, as far as a model 1886, and not in the desirable 45-90 caliber, but in the very nice and also sought after 45-70 Caliber.
If you have a Letter from Cody or a work up sheet, from Cody, that might make it more attractive! IMO!
Antonio
Thanks everyone for this. My grandfather DID get a certificate from Cody. My grandmother should be sending that out this week and I’ll be sure to post it when it arrives.
A little more backstory about it. I am interested in selling it. My grandfather was an avid firearms collector and had a couple hundred rifles when he passed away a few years ago. 1/3 of those went to my father, who also passed away this summer. Those were split between my brother and I, so I inherited about 20 firearms. I have several that I plan to pass on to my children, that have stories and memories attached to them, but this 1886 isn’t one of those, so I am looking to sell this, if the price makes sense. Two other rifles I’m interested in selling are a FN-49 and Remington 03-A3.
Guns this early have a slightly different stock from later guns. The corner where the upper tang meets the receiver is a sharper square corner than later guns. The missing chip in that area does make me think the stock may be a replacement.
It probably would sell for $2000-2500 here. Probably won’t sell quickly unless it’s priced in the $1500-1900 range
Another factor that influences desirability (and therefore value) is the condition of the bore. Since these 19th Century rifles were used with black powder, whose corrosive effects on steel are well known, the bore on many of these old Winchester rifles is quite poor. The condition of the bore in the rifle in question has a dramatic effect on value. Rifles of this era with excellent bores are the exception, as most are quite pitted and some have deteriorated to the point of being unusable. Bore condition will have quite a lot of effect on value.
BRP
I do agree with you, BRP, as we all know this rifle is more a shooter, as not in our collector wheel house, so to speak, as some other higher condition 86’s might be. That point did cross my mind as I did forget to add that. I’m glad that you brought that up, as it does play a very important part, in this rifle, and again,IMO!
Antonio
pine_worker said
Can the OP edit his post to reflect 1886 instead of 1866?
I would LOVE to edit this post to correct the mistakes in the original post. Unfortunately, I’m not seeing an option to do so. I’m seeing options to delete the post, quote the post, or under the “open forum toolset” button, it’s also only giving me the option to delete. I think it might be because I have a guest account. Could a moderator edit the post?
Blue Ridge Parson said
Another factor that influences desirability (and therefore value) is the condition of the bore. Since these 19th Century rifles were used with black powder, whose corrosive effects on steel are well known, the bore on many of these old Winchester rifles is quite poor. The condition of the bore in the rifle in question has a dramatic effect on value. Rifles of this era with excellent bores are the exception, as most are quite pitted and some have deteriorated to the point of being unusable. Bore condition will have quite a lot of effect on value.BRP
Admittedly, I haven’t given the barrel a really good look. I did put a patch with some Balistol down the barrel and it came out cleaner than expected. This weekend I’ll put some effort into making a YouTube video of the gun showing down the barrel and close-up details with good lighting to post here.
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