33 winchester model 1886

Question
Hi Sid it me again Troy have you ever heard of a 33 winchester having a octagon barrel? And also being nickel plated? Thanks Troy.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi Sid my name is Troy and I was wondering is there any certain way to find out where and when a rifle like a 33 winchester bought and being that old would they have been required to register the gun. If not is there a way to find out. The only problem is I don't know what the serial number is or nothing all I know is who originally bought the gun and who had it up to 1992. But if you could just give a little back ground on the gun and maybe a price range what it is worth.
-----Answer-----
Hi Troy,

The 1886 was based on a Browning patent and was one of the strongest lever actions ever built by Winchester. It was manufactured to handle the more powerful centerfire cartridges of the time.

The 1886 had walnut stocks with a case hardened frame with blued barrels. Winchester discontinued the case hardened frames and later went to blued frames. So the rifles with the case hardened frames bring a premium.

The model 1886 was produced from 1886 to 1935 with about 160,000 manufactured. They were available in 10 different calibers including the .33 W.C.F with the .45-70 Government being the most popular. The rifle was available in about a half dozen different configurations.

Sporting Rifle, Fancy Sporting Rifle, Takedown Rifle, Extra Lightweight Takedown Rifle, Extra Lightweight Rifle, Carbine, Musket.

Retail value is going to depend upon which model that you have. The average retail value based upon "good" condition is as follows for each model.

Sporting Rifle $7,500
Fancy Sporting $8,000
Takedown $4,200
Extra Lightweight Takedown .33 caliber $1,500
Extra Lightweight Takedown Other Calibers $$1,8000
Extra Lightweight Rifle .33 caliber $1,800
Extra Lightweight Rifle Other Calibers $2,200
Carbine $9,000
Musket $9,000

As for determining when/where it was originally purchased, it would be very difficult if not impossible to trace. Prior to the G.C.A. 1968, no 4473 forms needed to be filled out by the buyer.

Winchester may have a record of who the first purchaser was from them. You may be able to contact Winchester and see if (probably for a small fee) they can trace the history as they know it and provide you with a letter as to same.

Thanks for the question.
Sid Lark

Answer
Hi Troy,

In short .... yes.

In checking the records of production etc. it appears that rifles were manufactured with round, octagon, half-octagon with a couple of different finishes as to metal. Keep in mind Troy that many of these older firearms were often refinished (after market) also.

Sid Lark