I think if it is a antique(pre-1898) it doesn,t matter if it has a serial number or not for federal law. most 1886,s were made before 1898. eastbank.
Close, but not quite. The Gun Control Act, which required serial numbers, passed in 1968. Firearms made before then are not required to have serial numbers. Pre-68 it was common for inexpensive guns to have none.
Winchester made about 159,000 1886s, of which 103,000 were made before 1898. If you have the documentation of when it was manufactured, shipped, etc (usually in the form of a factory letter), some FFLs may transfer it without paperwork, but other FFL holders play it safe and whip a 4473 on you and make you go through the paperwork and NICS check.most 1886,s were made before 1898. eastbank.