WINCHESTER Takedown Model 1886 LIGHTWEIGHT Lever Action RIFLE .33 WCF 1903 TAKEDOWN RIFLE PRE 64
Description:
WINCHESTER Takedown Model 1886 LIGHTWEIGHT Lever Action RIFLE .33 WCF
1920 TAKEDOWN RIFLE by Winchester! PRE 64
Here we present a Winchester Model 1886 Special Order Extra Lightweight Lever Action Rifle, made in 1903 in New Haven, Connecticut. As of note, Winchester never officially referred to the 33 Caliber Model 1886 rifles as “Lightweight”. That stated, the barrel contour for the 24″ 33 WCF is nearly identical to the 22″ Extra Lightweight 45-70 barrel. The term “Lightweight” as it applies to the 33 WCF caliber Model 1886 was created by the collecting fraternity.
The 1886 was a collaboration between John Moses Browning and his brother, Matthew Sandifer Browning, to build a big game rifle to replace the Model 1876. This was Browning’s first repeating rifle design adopted by Winchester. The 1886 rifle, often called “the best rifle in the world”, even made Theodore Roosevelt, later President of the United States, very fond of the large caliber Model 1886 working rifle during his western adventures on the plains. From 1886 through 1935, almost 160,000 carbines and rifles were produced with calibers that ranged from the smaller 33WCF to the largest, 50-100, with the most popular caliber being the .45-70 and the 45-90. This rifle was a great improvement over the Model 1876. Its shorter, streamlined frame proved very popular and was well-received by sportsmen, shooters, and law enforcement groups alike.
By today’s standard, referring to a 7½-pound hunting rifle as “lightweight” might be open to debate, but at around the turn of the last century, this big-game lever-action rifle was state-of-the-art. Winchester also took note of its popular lever-action’s heft and introduced the 1886 Light Weight in 1896. Chambered in .45-70 Gov’t and featuring a 22-inch round, tapered barrel, a half magazine, a hard rubber shotgun buttplate and a straight-grip stock, this was also Winchester’s way of eliminating many special-order options. In 1902, the Extra Light Weight, like this one, was also chambered for the .33 Win., albeit with a 24-inch barrel. The Extra Light Weight was discontinued in 1919. Not many of these slimmed-down ’86s were produced, making them one of the more desirable Winchester variants.
The overall condition is fine. Very nice blue finish. The action is robust and crisp. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. This example sports a detailed cast Winchester hard rubber butt plate. This is a fantastic 1886 takedown in the .33 Winchester cartridge.
Barrel: 24 inches.
Caliber: .33 WCF
Price: $3,200.00