Antique Winchester Model 1886 Takedown Lever Rifle 26" 45-70 Govt 1897

Up for sale is an antique Winchester Model 1886 Takedown lever action rifle chambered in 45-70 Govt. Round barrel measures 26" in length with a dark, heavily frosted bore with light to moderate pitting throughout along with lightly worn but visible rifling. Metal surfaces have been heavily buffed at some point and refinished over heavily softened factory markings and prior pits, tool marks and scratches and the rifle retains about 90% coverage with areas of toning, scattered handling marks and thinning. Smooth wood forend and capped pistol grip crescent buttstock have been sanded and refinished at some point with a couple of softened dings, dark staining around the upper and lower tangs, metal sits proud of the wood in a few areas, light chipping and a couple fine cracks at the upper tang and a prior owner has added a rear sling swivel. Rifle is sighted with a blade front sight and folding rear ladder. Takedown works, but has as thing piece of brass shim stock between the receiver and barrel assembly to take up slack but still has some faint play. Magazine tube ring doesnt actually reside in its dovetail and will need to be fitted and the finger lever does occasionally droop. Action will cycle a dummy but can take a couple of tries rattling the finger lever to get the cartridge to line up and feed into the barrel correctly. 4th digit of the serial is worn and appears to be a “5” but the rifle was built in 1897 according to the serial.