The Winchester Model 1886 is the strongest repeating ritle made, and the only one that will successfully withstand the shock and strain of shooting such tremendous charges of powder and lead as are contained in .45-70-500 or .50-100-430 cartridges. This model is very popular with big game hunters allover the world on account of its strength, accuracy and great killing qualities. 'f his gun has been thoroughly tested on all kinds of game, and has invariably given such splendid satisfaction that it is doubtful if it will ever be equalled for the heavy cartridges it was especially designed to handle. The sys tem differs from that of earlier Winchester models, as will be seen by the sectional draw ings, Figures 4 and 5, showing the action closed and open, although it is operated by a finger lever, like the Winchester Model x873. Only a short inoventent of the finger lever is required to load this gun, which makes it easy to tire rapidly while the gun is at the Figure 4.
shoulder. A glance at the sectional drawings of this model is convincing of the strength and simplicity of its locking device. The gun is locked by two bolts, having a motion like the old Sharp's breech-block, which show on the top of the gun when the action is closed. In this position the locking bolts lie one on each side of the breech bolt. Each bolt fits into a slot in the frame on one side, and into a similar slot in the breech bolt on the other. The first opening motion of the lever withdraws and locks back the firing pin until the gun is again ready for firing. A hook attached to the finger lever draws the cartridges out of the magazine into the carrier block, which enables the use of a light maga zine spring, permitting the magazine to be filled easily. The cartridge is forced from the carrier into the chamber by the forward movement of the breech bolt. The arrangement of the breech-bolt. finger lever, and locking, bolt makes it easy to insert or eject a cart ridge, and gives the action strength to withstand any charge.
The magazine is filled while the gun is closed, through the spring cover at the side, and is provided with a stop, which permits the use of cartridges of different lengths, hav ing the same length of shell. For illustration : Guns chambered for the .45-7o cartridge will handle that cartridge with either the .4o5 or .5oo grain bullet. Guns chambered for the .45-90 cartridge will hanclle the .45-85-35o solid ball, .45-82-4o5 solid ball, or the .45-85-3oo hollow point express bullet cartridges. Guns chambered for .40-82 cartridges will handle the .40-75-260 cartridge of Winchester make. Rifles of this model, taking the .45-7o cartridges, should be used only with the .45-7o cartridg,es made by the Win chester Repeating Arms Co. In reloading the cartridges use the Winchester 2%2' primer only. Never use in this gun a cartridge primed with a Berdan or copper primer. A
rifle with a 26-inch barrel and full magazine will carry nine .45-7o-4os, .4o-65, or .38— 56 cartridges, or eight of the other thirteen cartridges for which this gun is made. Half magazine rifles will carry four .40-65, or .38-56 cartridges, or three of the other fourteen cartridges, in the magazine, and one in the barrel. Half magazine "Take Down " rifles will hold four cartridges in the magazine and one in the barrel. The standard length of barrel is 26 inches, but barrels are furnished up to 36 inches in length. Guns taking the •45-70 cartridge have the Sporting Leaf Sight, those taking the .50—x to, .50—roo cart ridges the Winchester Express Sight, and all others the Sporting Rear Sight. Guns of this model can be furnished with set triggers, if so ordered.
The Winchester Model, 1886 " Take Down " rifle, Figure 6, is a particularly handy and convenient arm. The ease with which it can be taken apart, and the small space it can be carried in, recommends it to all sportsmen. The barrel of the gun is attached to the frame by an interrupted screw, which makes it possible to detach the barrel from the frame with a one-quarter turn. The magazine barrel and fore-encl are attached by a ring at the breech, so as to form one piece. This leaves the stock and action in one piece, and the barrel and all parts attached to it in another, so that the gun can be con veniently carried in a Victoria case like a shotgun, packed in a trunk or in bedding. An other feature of the "Take Down" style of gun is: 1Then cleaning the gun the magazine can be screwed out and withdrawn entirely from the barrel, so that the later can be washed with water, if desired, without wetting the action or magazine. The interrupted screw system used in Winchester "Take Down" rifles has been thoroughly tested, both in heavy ordnance as well as in small arms, and found to be fully as strong as the con tinuous screw. It is absolutely impossible for an accident to occur with a Winchester "Take Down" rifle on account of the gun not being put together properly. The Model 1886 "Take Down" rifle is made for the same cartridges and with the same variety of stocks as the regular style guns of this model, but only with z6 inch round, octagon or half octagon barrels. It is made with full or half magazine. Carbines, or barrels, longer than 26 inches are not furnished in "'Fake Down" style of rifle. To take apart Model 1886, 1892, and 1894 "Take Down" rifles, lift up the magazine lever found at the muz zle end of the magazine, and unscrew the magazine about one inch. Throw down the finger lever, and unscrew the barrel one-quarter of a turn to the left. Draw out the barrel from the frame.