Is it worth $1000.00? Winchester Model 1886 mfg. 1894

[Elkaholic]

Model 1886, manufactured in 1894, case color is still very evident, barrel is turning brown patina, was chambered for the .40-82 and is now in the 45-70, using the original barrel.  The stock is a cresent and possibly not the factory stock.  It does not have the original rear sight.  Is it worth $1000.00??  The current owner shoots cast bullets through it and has taken 3 whitetail with it.  Thanks for your input.

Elkaholic

[Graybeard]

It would not be to me. The barrel alteration really takes away most collector value unless another barrel just like the original that was an original factory barrel could be found to make it again appear as it left the factory. The buttstock question futher hurts any collector value.

Now is it worth that as a shooter? Not to me. But if a fellow just had to have an original 1886 he might think so. I'd rather locate one of the newer Browning made ones.

[86er]

I'd be hard pressed to pay $1000 for a re-bored '86, but they are climbing in price at a steady rate. It's a shame that the owner didn't have the barrel lined to the original caliber, 'cause the .40-82 is a fine cartridge that is capable of taking most North American game, large or small.
 The crescent butt was standard on the 1886; anything other was a special order item. Standard barrel length was 26", with most being octagonal. Octagonal barreled Winchesters seem to fetch the higher prices, but round ones are actually scarcer.
  The rear sight issue is another negative, however, many sights were replaced by what the owner perceived as better. A gun that has been altered is not a collector gun anyway, it is a shooter and hunter rifle at best.
  I would rather spend the money on a new '86, one that can withstand the pressures generated by modern reloaded .45-70 ammunition.

[John Y Cannuck]

I have to agree with the above, as itstands, it's a shooter, not a collector, and though it's fine with current factory offerings by RemChester, It would be questionable with some of Garrets loads. The early barrel is likely a black powder barrel.

[86er]

Of the original, pre-1935 Model 1886 Winchester rifles, only those having nickel steel barrels are safe to fire high pressure ammunition. The nickel steel barrel was offered beginning in the mid 1890s, and was standard on all lightweight guns. The barrel markings are usually located on the left side of the barrel, under the rear sight. These are marked "nickel steel, especially for smokeless powder", or simply "nickel steel". A few barrels are not marked on the top, but they are always marked on the flat at the bottom of the barrel where it screws into the receiver. These are usually indicated by initials within a circle. Crucible, or soft steel barrels will generally have the marks inside a square.
 I hope that this information is of some use to you in determining the steel composition of your '86s barrel.

[gerry@fundy.net]

What is one worth in original condition, except for some blueing wear, in .33 Win., 22 in. round barrel, half mag?

[Graybeard]

I saw one in .33 Win. at a gunshow last weekend. Really quite excellent condition. Don't recall the price but it was well under $1000. I considered buying it but being in .33 Win. I really wasn't that interested. As I recall it was under $750 but just don't recall the exact asking price. Looked to be the best buy of all the older Winchester lever rifles there and there were a LOT of them there.

[86er]

 Greybeard, if i knew where I could pick up a good condition .33 cal. '86 for that money it would be mine. I have three of 'em, but at $750 i'd snap another one up.
Gerry, the standard bbl length for the .33 WCF was 24". If you saw a 22" gun it was a special order. The lightweight guns in calibers other than .33 had 22" barrels, but not he .33 WCF.

[Graybeard]

Greybeard, if i knew where I could pick up a good condition .33 cal. '86 for that money it would be mine. I have three of 'em, but at $750 i'd snap another one up.

No doubt it was likely the best old Winchester bargain at the show. But just not a gun I was interested in. It was on a table with few other guns as I recall and not a dealer, just an individual selling off some personal stuff. I got no contact info on him or I'd pass it along to you.

[86er]

Sometimes we have to pass some things up for the same reasons that others buy them. Thankfully, we are not looking for the exact same guns at the same time. Everyone has slightly different tastes in firearms.
I passed up a clean .33 at a local show last year because it had a 71 stock that had been deeply inletted to allow the straight lever to close. Go figure. It was 600 bucks, and I let it get away. Not my best move. :-D