Winchester Repeating Arms 1886 (Historic Manual) - Manual (Page 24)

pull it downward and fully forward with the fingers of
your hand inserted in the finger loop (see Figure 10).
Then return it upward to it's original position (see
Figure 11). Keep you fingers clear of the trigger at all
times when working the lever.
IN EITHER CASE, ALWAYS FIRST PLACE
THE SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IN
THE "ON" POSITION, AND THEN PLACE
THE HAMMER INTO THE REBOUND,
POSITION UPON CLOSING THE ACTION.