Forgotten Winchester 1886

Dryzen

Dryzen

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Good morning fellow gun enthusiasts.
I am more of a Military Surplus collector, therefore this is not my expertise and I was wondering if you could help me out.

I recently picked up a number of older rifles following a friend's minor interest in his grandfather's colelction. Out of the rifles and shot guns found I acquired a Winchester model 1886. The steal is lightly tarnished, barrel darkened out but the rifling is still good. Everything seem original, the history I go on it was that it was bought at the Bytown market here in Ottawa over a century ago and that its been hidden away at the back of a gun case for the better part of 50 years.

I'll post some picture this evening, but here are the markings I was able to find.

“Model 1886” on Upper side of grip. “Pat oct 14 1884” , “jan 20 1885” on grip bellow, with number 32877 , moon butt stock. On top of barrel: “Manufactured by the Winchester repeating arms co. new haven conn. U.S.A” . “38 56 W O F” written on barrel at receiver end.

Barrel is 25.25 inches to the receiver.

Could any of you tell something about this classic arm and maybe its value?
thanks


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Value is always dependant of condition, pics would help.
38-56 is not the most desireable caliber, but I find it adaquate for deer.
The bore will of course be .378-380 so bullets need to be sized appropiatly.
 
Dryzen, according to the serial number, that Winchester 1886 was made in 1889. The Winchester 1886 was manufactured from 1886 to 1922, and produced in several calibers. Yours is in 38-56, an obsolete caliber no longer produced, but can easily be reloaded for. From your description, it sounds like the rifle is in a standard configuration. As to value, that depends upon the condition of the rifle and whether anyone has ever made in alterations such as sanding and refinishing the stock, reblueing, or extra holes drilled, all of which drastically reduces the value. The range in values is so large, that it would be impossible to give you even a close estimate without seeing some good photos.
 
The .38-56 WCF chambering would be considered similar to the 38-55 chambering, good for game up to and including moose, depending on the skill of the hunter. Different brass though.

Most often, it would be used for deer and black bear. Part of the reason this round became obsolete was competition from the lighter Winchester Model 1894 and the trend to lighter rifles/higher velocity smaller cartridges.

Handloaded today, a 1886 in 35-56 WCF would be pleasant to shoot, somewhat heavier than a Model 1894 or similar. Good gun for the nostalgic lever-action rifle buff who likes hunting.
 
Thanks for the rapid replies.

The 38-56 cartrige would need to be built from a similar cartrige? I've not delved too much in the reloading, therefore I'll leave the piece un fired but ready until such time as I have acquired the necessary knowledge.

This is not the best thread to post this next question but its answer is definitly tied to this arm. How should I proceed to take the best picture of the lettering on the rifle? With a flash all I get is a glow and without its all a blurr.


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You would need to take the photos in the daytime, near a window, so the camera could focus on the gun and you would not need the flash. From what I can see the gun is in well-worn, but possibly original condition. It is hard to tell from the photos, but the wood looks like no one has taken a sander to it nor does the rifle appear to have been re-blued. That is good. As for value, if it is in original condition, and the action works and the bore is decent, without seeing the other side, I would hazard a rough estimate between $1,500 and $2,500. That is quite a range, but I am feeling a bit rusty on '86 values right now. I'm sure someone else who has been hunting an '86 might be a bit more current on the value. I'm pretty sure one would be able to get at least $1,500 for one like that, and I think it would be hard to sell one for more than $2,500 in that condition and caliber. As I said, however, I feel rusty in pricing '86's, so others should weigh in here.
 
Dryzen said:
Thanks for the rapid replies.
The 38-56 cartrige would need to be built from a similar cartrige? I've not delved too much in the reloading, therefore I'll leave the piece un fired but ready until such time as I have acquired the necessary knowledge.
Click to expand...

The 38-56 is easy to form from 45-70 shells. I have a rolling block in that caliber and very much like the caliber. I don't recall even having to go through intermediary forming dies to form the shells. You do have to anneal your shells first before forming and to run them in and out of the sizing die in a series of steps, partly to avoid the build up of lube and resulting dimples in the shells. Also worth trying cast 375 or 376 diameter bullets; there is a good chance they will shoot accurately.

cheers mooncoon
 
From the serial number provided, this 1886 has been authenticated in the original factory configuration ie., round barrel, plain trigger, 38-56 WCF.

As one who has a couple of 1886 rifles used as shooters in similar condition, $1500 to 2000 would be a fair price range for this rifle.

Dryzen, when one works the lever on this 1886, is the movement of the action smooth and easy without any stiffness?
 
Wouldn't mind getting a 50-110 for $1,500. Fingers 284, next time that auction happens, let me know. A very, very good 1886 in .50-110 for $1,500 is exactly what would make me very happy indeed.
 
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Prices have been coming down recently, I guess a reflection of the economy. A fellow I know had an 1886 in 40-65 with octagon barrel at a show early this summer. Desirable gun and caliber. The gun had a lot of nice blue on the barrel, great bore and was in very nice shape (I'd have bought it if I didn't already have one). He was asking $1800 IIRC, for what a few of us commented on was really a $2500 gun. That said, he was not able to sell even at that price. He sold it later in the summer for $1300 I think. Tough times I guess though. $1500 might be tough for that gun. Just my 2 cents.
Cheers,
Matt
 
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The action meets resistance as it cocks the hammer, once done its quite smooth but not loose. I'll get some more pictures near the patio window, should have better lighting.
 
Thanks all , I was just going to post a similar question regarding a 45 cal model.
But how does one know which Caliber the rifle is? We looked and it was not easily located.
 
tokguy said:
But how does one know which Caliber the rifle is? We looked and it was not easily located.
Click to expand...

With Winchester 1886s, the chambering of the rifle is usually stamped on top of the barrel, between the rear sight and the receiver.

Chamberings would include .33 WCF, .38-70, .38-56 WCF, .40-65 WCF, .40-70, .40-82 WCF, .45-70 Gov't, .45-90 WCF, and .50 Express (.50-110).

Some decent 1886 references include "Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West" by Mike Venturino, "Winchester Lever Action Repeating Firearms: Volume 2: The Models of 1886 and 1892" by Arthur Pirkle, "The Winchester Lever Legacy" by Snooky Williamson, and "The Winchester Book" by George Madis.
 
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