Love my pre-64 model 70's, but recently brought home an 1886 33 WCF made in 1920, carbine version
This thing is an absolute blast to load for and shoot. She has a factory installed Lyman 21 rear sight and shoots 2" groups at 100 yards for me, albeit a little high.

My question is some are marked on the tang "1886" and others are "86". Mine is 86. Can someone explain why this is? I'm not an expert on Winchester levers...matter of fact I'm not even a know it all yet on these types of guns.

Thanx!

Markings on barrels, tangs etc changed on most Winchester lever models through time. The 1886 marking was shortened to 86 late in production. It did not signify any significant mechanical change.

Sometime after the turn of the century, Winchester decided that buyers of new guns didn't like to buy guns with the 1800's in the model number so they changed, not all at the same time, all the 1800 models to shortened (92, 94, 86,95) model numbers. They also abandon the model/year naming around the same time.

It was approximately 1918 when the change was made.

That explains it...this little gal is 1920 vintage.