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Winchester 1886 serial number... or lack of-

15K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  MikeG 
#1 ·
Hi all,
Just saw the other post about an 1886 and thought bring up my own situation. I inherited my grandfather's 1886. I suspect he tried some "kitchen table" gunsmithing on it in it's time.

Among other things, I cannot find a serial number anywhere. I believe it is supposed to be on the lower tang. I know it is an older model .45-70 with the deeper crescent buttstock.

I'm wondering now if Winchester made some without serial numbers. The only other thing I can think is there is a website (cruffler.com) that has a good article on the 1886. One thing they mention is the lower tang was a common fail part and Winchester had many replacements on hand (without serial numbers). Close inspection of mine looks to show a possible replacement, though whoever did it did a good job.

Anyway, if anyone has any info, I'd appreciate it. Still shoots well -

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Scott, it's interesting that you bring up the article on cruffler.com because I read that just today and was going to reference that in my response to your post.

It's a shame that you don't have a serial number for it because otherwise, I'm not sure if there is a way to date it unless there is a record somewhere of the repair/replacement of the tang. Did Winchester serialize any of the other parts?

What are some other details about it? Is it in good shape? Is the receiver CCH or blued? Do any of the markings indicate a serial number/year range based on the items listed on the Cruffler article?
 
#4 ·
Well, that's a start at least. According to the article on Cruffler, Winchester did color case hardening on receivers, butt plates and fore end tips until serial number 122,000, which is a 1900 DOM serial number. If your rifle was originally blued, it may be old, but wouldn't qualify as an "Antique Winchester" in the sense that collectors recognize Winchesters with DOMs up through 1898 to be antique Winchesters. By the way, does anyone know why that is? Why is it that the date cut-off in order to be considered an "antique Winchester" is pre-1899?

Of course ultimately it doesn't matter - as long as it isn't a new model 1886, it's going to be worth a fair amount of money, but it would have been worth more if you could place it's age prior to 1899.
 
#5 ·
I got curious about the 1898 cut-off so I did some digging and found a referece to the United States Gun Control Act of 1968 which states:

"any cartridge firearm made in or before 1898 ("pre-1899") is classified as an "antique", and is generally outside of Federal jurisdiction, as administered and enforced by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives (BATFE)…."

That's probably the reason for the 1898 cut-off year, but I'm not sure how that affects the value of old Winchester level actions in a collectors' market.
 
#8 ·
Right, but Winchester 1886s were made WITH serial numbers, and they were on the tang. As we have already discussed, if the tang on this rifle was factory original, it would have a serial number, and the fact that it doesn't means that it was probably broken and replaced at some point - the replacement tangs did not have numbers.

So, whether or not it was law for the firearms manufacturers to apply serial numbers to their guns prior to the Gun Control Act of 1968 bears no relevance to the discussion at hand.
 
#14 ·
Winchester 1886 with SN........

Hello from Central Maine,

I was lucky enough to be given a Winchester 1886 that I think was manufactured in 1907. I know that it is a .33WCF from my research. Is the Winchester Historical Society the only place I can get information on the rifle? Is there someone or some organization that is authorized by Winchester to do restorations?

The weapon has been tampered with but I have been told it can be brought back to its original condition. The receiver was drilled out for a side mount scope......would love to find that piece...... the WCF on the barrel was ground off and the first number of the serial number has been removed. However, if my research is correct, that number can only be a "1". The cartrige tube on the rifle is short and if I remember can only hold 5 rounds

I have fired the weapon and with some minor adustments will aim true. My father has a "Canandian Commemorative" version and after I take my first big game with my rifle it will be retired under glass as an original and remake.

If you have any historical information, fun knowledge or just want to ask about the rifle feel free to respond or email me.

Dave
 
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