Winchester Model 88 Pre-1964 .308 Win Lever-Action Rifle – 1960 Production, 22-Inch Barrel
Built in 1960, this Winchester Model 88 represents the desirable pre-1964 era of production, known for its higher-grade machining and finish. Chambered in .308 Winchester and featuring the innovative three-lug rotating bolt, it combines lever-action speed with spitzer-compatible strength. Cut-checkered walnut furniture, a forged steel receiver, and gloss blued metalwork give this full-size rifle a classic yet practical appeal.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Fouling: Mild Fouling – Light buildup of fouling or dirt.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Scuffs are present on the stock and receiver, and light finish wear appears at common handling points, but wood and metal remain sound with no structural issues.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 88 rifle with installed one-piece scope base rail
- Factory Winchester 4-round detachable box magazine
- After-market black rubber recoil pad (installed)
This rifle is the standard 22-inch barrel variant, not the shorter carbine, giving it the original sight radius intended by Winchester. The hooded ramp front sight and folding adjustable rear sight remain in place, and the receiver is already fitted with a solid one-piece scope rail for quick optic setup.
The Model 88’s three-lug rotating bolt locks into a forged steel receiver, allowing safe use of pointed bullets—an uncommon advantage in lever guns of its era. Paired with a four-round detachable magazine, it offers fast reloads and reliable feeding of modern .308 Winchester ammunition.
Pre-1964 rifles like this example are appreciated for their finer machining, deeper blue finish, and checkered walnut stocks with crisp detail. The Monte Carlo comb aids cheek weld for scoped shooting, while the added recoil pad extends length of pull to 14.5 inches and softens felt recoil.
Winchester built roughly 284,000 Model 88 rifles from 1955 to 1973; this 1960 serial-numbered gun (104 xxx range) falls squarely in the earlier, collector-favored production run. Proofed with the Winchester “WP” oval stamp on both barrel and receiver, it retains the factory Winchester Proof Steel barrel and matching gloss blued finish throughout.