Browning Model 1886 (pics)

[XxWINxX94]

Hello everyone.
I inherited one of these in 45-70 Gov't and have only got to shoot it a couple times because of the cost of ammunition and the condition of this rifle. It is Like New In Box and has literally NO imperfections in the metal, and very few in the wood. Bore looks perfect. It has a long, heavy, octagon barrel and is "Made in Japan." I'm more of a collector and don't particularly care for reproductions or japanese copies, so I'm considering selling this gun.

My Questions:

1) Is there any real value to this gun? Other than the ability to shoot modern 45-70 loads.

2) Is there any market for them at all? Or will I be sitting on this one forever? (I can't find too many on gunbroker)

3) If I were to sell it, the old book price is around $950, is that a good price or should I expect more/less?

4) Is there any other information I should know about this particular gun? Is it special, or junk, or have problems, etc?

Please share any info you think could help me find out a little more about this gun.

Here are some pictures:

If you would like to see a certain angle/area of the gun not pictured, let me know and I will do my best to put up an accurate picture.


P.S. If I sold this gun, I would be looking for a nice antique or pre-'64 Winchester of equal or lesser value.

 

[CraigC]

Yeah, apparently there's a lot you should know!!! These guns are among the finest leverguns ever built. The legendary 1886 action is among the strongest and is capable of digesting the heaviest loads. It is 10,000psi stronger than a modern Marlin. They exhibit better fit and finish than any domestically produced levergun since Winchester's golden years. In addition, unlike the newer Winchester branded reproductions, these have a traditional half cock action without a manual safety. They are also very popular for conversions to bigger cartridges like .475Turnbull and .50Alaskan. Haven't checked prices in a while but expect to get $1500 or more from it.

 

[blitzen]

It's not an old Winchester but don't let the "Made in Japan" fool ya. They seem to make pretty good color tvs' and automobiles!

 

[MMCSRET]

It is not a "Reproduction"; it is current production with all the modern advances in metallurgy and machining techniques currently known to man and machines.
They don't maken no gooder!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tommygunn]

I so wanted one of these in carbine form 'round 1993-4 ..... ordered one and some odd problem cropped up and it didn't come ... then I had to move ....

Very nice looking rifle. I believe it will be a Miroku and they are top quality. I did buy a used B-92 in .44 Mag and it's a fine gun and very accurate.

 

[kaferhaus]

I haven't seen one bring 950 in a long time... they were all the rage at one time but the market seems to have waned a bit. They're very uncomfortable to shoot because of the stock design and as they are still re-pros.... modern and improved or not. Most that bought them shot them a few times and put them up.

There was one in a local gunshop here for over a year. Ended up selling once he dropped the price to 700.00

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Man that's awesome!
I wouldn't consider selling it, but I'm a shooter not a collector. I'd keep it and shoot the daylights out of it.

 

[CraigC]

It is not a "Reproduction"

It is a Browning reproduction of a Winchester rifle and they haven't been made since the 1990's so no, it is not current production either. I know exactly what I'm looking at.


From Webster's:

re·pro·duc·tion
 
–noun
3. something made by reproducing an original

Ended up selling once he dropped the price to 700.00

I would buy them all day long at $700!!! Then turn around and double my money. It may be a niche item but they are very desireable for those who appreciate them and there is certainly a market for them.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Wow so I should expect over $1000 for this one? I also believe the relation I inherited it from purchased it in the 90's.

I have several other Mirkou Brownings, including a nice model 52, and 2 identical model 12 shotguns but I've decided to keep those. Only reason for selling is the condition and the caliber, I would be very content with $1000+!

 

[jdowney]

I'd say $1k is about right, Murphy's in Tucson has one for that.

Heck of a nice rifle

 

[surjimmy]

They are lying to you so you don't get your feeling hurt. I am a better friend then that, so I will tell you the truth. You need to get rid of this junk before your friends find out you have it. Since we are such good friends I'll take it and give you some gas money and enough to ship it. I know, there's no need to thank me. It's just the kind of guy I am......................what kind of dope you smoking, and why aren't you sharing. This is a great rifle and a great round. Not to mention how good looking it is. Keep it my friend and don't let anyone talk you out of it.

 

[XxWINxX94]

what kind of dope you smoking

Maybe the authentic Winchester Collectors?

a great round

I agree 100%! The .45-70 is a classic. However, I don't reload and its a bit pricey in and around my area.

 

[Jonny V]

Well, since the 45/70 is just to much of a pain and too expensive and all, just shoot me a PM and I'll make sure you get $800 in exchange for that old 'no-good' rifle within 24 hours .

 

[XxWINxX94]

Thanks for the responses everyone.
I'm not going to try to get rid of it right away, I asked a friend and he said he might be interested in a trade. I am then going to put it up at a local gun show to see if I can get any takers. And in a last ditch effort, I will put it on consignment with my local FFL on gunbroker.

Its a great looking gun that shoots well, it just doesn't really suit me, from a collectors standpoint.

 

[dogsoldier0513]

Browning 1886s, especially SRCs, bring top $$ in Alaska. My dad has one like you pictured. He bought it (AS NEW) in the mid-late '90s for around $700, IIRC.

 

[Jonny V]

OK XxWINxX94, would $900 make you forget the gun show?

 

[XxWINxX94]

Not sure, some folks are saying at least $1000+.

 

[Paddle Snagger]

XxWINxX94, did you sell/trade this rifle yet?

 

[rtn]

Great looking rifle!

 

[SwampWolf]

Yeah, apparently there's a lot you should know!!! These guns are among the finest leverguns ever built. The legendary 1886 action is among the strongest and is capable of digesting the heaviest loads. It is 10,000psi stronger than a modern Marlin.

CraigC-Though I've always believed the Winchester 1886 action to be stronger than the equivalent Marlin, I've never asserted same because I've never seen the evidence to support said claim. Do you have any documentation to substantiate your allegation? I'd love to see real proof...

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

It is worth a thousand in the condition that you have, but walking it around a gunshow (it weighs about 11 pounds) can get old, and this is not the best time to shake up money. Right after Christmas, everyone is tight with money. Good time to BUY, though, if you have money.

 

[XxWINxX94]

XxWINxX94, did you sell/trade this rifle yet?

Nope, had one guy come look at it while I sold him some knives, but he wasn't very serious about buying, more of a 'looker'. So it is still for sale.

but walking it around a gunshow (it weighs about 11 pounds) can get old, and this is not the best time to shake up money. Right after Christmas, everyone is tight with money. Good time to BUY, though, if you have money.

I agree 100%, I'm not in any real rush to sell it, but could use the $. Just going to play it by ear and see what happens.

 

[CraigC]

CraigC-Though I've always believed the Winchester 1886 action to be stronger than the equivalent Marlin, I've never asserted same because I've never seen the evidence to support said claim. Do you have any documentation to substantiate your allegation? I'd love to see real proof...

It's not an allegation but feel free to research for yourself. It should be relatively easy to find that authorities on the subject condsider the 1886 to be able to withstand 10,000psi more pressure than the Marlin. Bob Baker discussed .454 leverguns several years ago and it was stated that no Marlin was strong enough to handle the pressure. Only the contemporary 1892 and 1886 designs held up beyond a couple hundred rounds.

 

[Paddle Snagger]

XxWINxX94, pm sent.

 

[SwampWolf]

It's not an allegation but feel free to research for yourself. It should be relatively easy to find that authorities on the subject condsider the 1886 to be able to withstand 10,000psi more pressure than the Marlin.

You seem to have missed my point. I happen to agree with you, in theory at least, that the Winchester is the stronger action (not that it would mean very much in practical terms for most people). I have done a degree of research (thanks for reminding me that I still live in a country where I'm free to do so ) via the internet and my own reference library and, to date, I have not been able to substantiate the claim that the 1886 is "able to withstand 10,000 psi more pressure than the Marlin".

Because you made the declarative statement that same is so I assumed that you would be able to provide some verification or point me to where you learned the information. The fact that you can't (or won't) is fine by me. I'll continue my search and, when or if I'm ever able to find the evidence, I'll be happy to share the data with any and all interested parties. At least for me, until then, the claim is "an assertion unsupported" or, in other words, an allegation.