With the introduction of the Winchester Model 1886 the world of lever actions was changed forever. No previous lever action ever handled as well. No previous lever was as strong. No other lever action ever offered chamberings in such powerful cartridges.
A new standard was set, and it would be years before another lever action would even come close to the perfection of a Winchester 1886.
The 1886 Winchester accompanied settlers all across America. It soon became the premier big game hunting rifle for North America. It was the rifle that became a Theodore Roosevelt favorite when he was a working cattleman in the Dakotas, years before he was President of the United States.
The 1886 was the second John M. Browning design he created for Winchester. It was considered robust and accurate, and capable of handling the long, powerful black powder “buffalo” cartridges popular on the Western Plains. The 45-70 Government is the all-time classic chambering for this robust rifle design . . . more than a match for grizzly bear, bull elk and bison.
RECEIVER – Steel; Color case hardened; Drilled and tapped for receiver mount
BARREL – 24″ full octagon; Polished blued finish; Full length magazine tube
ACTION – Lever-action
STOCK – Grade III/IV walnut; Pistol grip; Classic rifle-style forearm; Steel fore-end cap
FEATURES – Semi-buckhorn rear sight; Marble’s gold bead front sight; Color case hardened crescent buttplate, lever, fore-end cap, grip cap and lower tang