Winchester Repeating Arms 1886 (Historic Manual) - Manual (Page 11)

Cycling the lever smoothly moves a cartridge from
the tubular magazine to the chamber. After firing,
working the lever ejects the empty cartridge nearly
straight up and slightly to the right, over your head.
Returning the lever upward cycles a new cartridge
from the magazine into the chamber. The
1886's
uncanny, reliable, smooth function made it an
instant success in its day. We are sure you will appre-
ciate its incredible design and high level of precision
as you become familiar with it
by reviewing these
instructions.
Descriptions in this manual generally refer to the gun
in the horizontal position. That
is, in the normal fir-
ing position. For example, the muzzle is forward or
front; the buttstock is rearward or rear; the trigger is
downward or underneath; the sight is upward or on
top.