The powerful Winchester Model 1886 is by far one of the most iconic lever action rifles of all time and remains popular with collectors, shooters, and hunters to this day as one of the strongest lever action designs ever developed. This rugged and dependable rifle was invented by prolific firearms inventor John Moses Browning and was his first repeating rifle design to enter production but was far from his last. Browning's design was tweaked for production by none other than William Mason of Colt Single Action Army fame. The Model 1886 kept Winchester at the top of the lever action market. While a shorter action than the Model 1876, the Model 1886 was able to chamber longer cartridges, including the .45-70 Government, and its stronger locking block design was able to handle higher pressures even as Winchester made the jump to smokeless powders. The locking bolts on the '86 pass vertically through the bolt securing it firmly in place, and the design was also sleeker by abandoning dust covers and switching to an internal cartridge elevator. A powerful, dependable rifle was highly valued in the American West in the late 19th century, and remained desirable for hunters through the 20th century and on to today. Among its fans in the period was Theodore Roosevelt, who used this model extensively, including testing samples for the famous Smithsonian–Roosevelt African Expedition, and the legendary Rough Rider leader also presented Model 1886s to his friends. The Model 1886 was manufactured from 1886 to 1935, and the production total reached just under 160,000, but surviving examples in exceptionally high condition are rarely encountered. The '86 was a "working man's gun" and thus surviving examples typically display all the character of hard use. Roosevelt used one of his rifles so much that it was sent back to the factory multiple times for repairs. This classic Winchester Model 1886 rifle is chambered in the popular cartridge: .45-70 Government and remains in stunning condition. It is a high condition example that will make a great addition to any Winchester or lever action collection. The factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on July 13, 1895, and shipped the same day on order number 15367 with an octagon barrel in .45-70 caliber and plain trigger with sights listed as "Lyman hunting front, Lyman rear, Blank in rear slot, Regular sights also." The rifle is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, a ladder rear sight graduated from 2 to 10, and a folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line Winchester New Haven address ahead of the rear sight and "45-70" at the breech. The lower tang has the patent dates marking as well as the serial number. The receiver has the desirable casehardened finish with striking case colors. Mounted with plain walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.

Excellent. The barrel and magazine tube retain 98% original blue finish with fading to plum on the balance. The breech bolt retains 99% original blue finish. Traces of original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 98% vivid original case colors. The remaining surfaces retain 97% plus vivid original case colors overall. The wood is also excellent with some very scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. An extremely very high condition Winchester Model 1886 rifle in very desirable .45-70 caliber that will be a great addition to any lever action collection no matter how advanced.