Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe 26″ .50-110 Express Lever Rifle, 1894 Antique
SOLD FOR: $13,175.00
WOA#: WY240327DC014
Make: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 94918
Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: .50-110 Express
Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-” and at the receiver with “50 EX. The upper tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-”. The lower tang is marked -“PAT. OCT. 14.1884. / JAN. 20.1885”- and “94918”. There are London commercial proof marks on the barrel, bolt and receiver.
Barrel Length: 26″, half-round, half-octagonal.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a three-notch express sight with three folding “V”-notches, one marked 50, another 1 and the third 2. The rear sight assembly is dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding tang sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with capped forend, pistol grip, triangular ebony inlay in the bottom of the grip, straight comb, an inlaid silver initial plate in the belly, and smooth steel shotgun-style buttplate. The initial plate has been engraved with a serpent emerging from a crown. There are some scattered minor nicks and small scratches. There is a repaired chip at the toe. There are thin, repaired cracks at the rear of the top tang on each side. There is another thin, repaired crack in the right-front of the wrist. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 12 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has generally strong finish with some minor nicks, light scratches, and spots of minor oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as restored Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The barrel’s finish appears Original. The receiver and bolt have been professionally restored..
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The barrel’s finish is thinning at all edges. The receiver’s case color is generally strong with some light handling wear on the bottom and in the top tang. There are a few minor nicks and small scratches. There is some scattered faint surface oxidation. There is a little minor erosion under the finish on the top of the bolt. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-Excellent condition as restored Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock notch. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with 11 loaded and 9 fired .50-110 cartridge/cases, all Starline headstamp and a Winchester Factory Records letter. The letter confirms that this rifle originally shipped as a rifle, chambered for .50/110, 1/2 Octagon barrel, checkered stock with pistol grip, 1/2 magazine and shotgun butt, received in warehouse December 06, 1894 and shipped December 07, 1894 on order number 2415.
Our Assessment: The 1886 is another of John Browning’s industry-changing designs. It is our favorite Winchester here, certainly the strongest built at the time and function leads to beauty. The 1886 was available in a variety of cartridges over its nearly 40 years of production with this example having a 26″ half-octagon barrel chambered for .50-110 Express, a cartridge introduced to the line in 1887. The .50-110 Express is one of the most powerful cartridges ever to be chambered in a lever action rifle and would have been suitable for just about any game a hunter could expect to encounter in 1891.
This example has been professionally restored, but comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter confirming its original configuration. This 1886 is very desirable, not only for its chambering and 1/2 octagon barrel, but also for its half-length or “button” magazine, deluxe checkered walnut pistol grip stocks, and shotgun buttplate. It is also intriguing as it has London commercial proof marks, indicating that it went across the pond at some point in its life. The proof marks on the barrel were clearly applied through the finish, so we don’t think the barrel has been refinished, though the receiver has been beautifully case-hardened by whoever restored the rifle. This is a beautiful specimen of the Model 1886 in great condition and a rare configuration. It will make a great addition to any collection and should still prove to be a very classy and classic shooter. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
