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LOT 1
Very Fine Documented Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .45-90 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 105558, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, with the desirable early casehardened receiver found only on Model 1886 rifles
manufactured prior to 1902. As the spiritual successor to the Model 1876,
these rifles were highly prized in the American west for their stunning firepower and rugged dependability, especially in .45-90 caliber, which was more than capable of stopping even the
most dangerous North American game. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and desirable caliber marking at the breech. The model designation is on the upper tang, with
the serial number and two-line patent dates on the lower tang. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration as well as
receipt at the warehouse on 27 November 1895 and shipment on 2 October 1896 in order number 20572. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original blue finish, 70% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 70% of the nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina. The wood is also very fine with some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
6
LOT 2
Antique Early Production Three-Digit Serial Number 946 Winchester Deluxe Model 1895 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 946, 30-40 Krag cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1896, the second year of production, as one of the first 5,000 manufactured with the flat sided receiver. The included factory letter lists the rifle as manufactured in 1896 with a checkered pistol grip stock when received at the warehouse on 27 March 1897 and shipped the same day. The pistol grip stock may be a factory notation error as the rifle has a straight lower tang. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang has the two-line trademark/model, serial number on the lower tang, and two-line patent dates are on the trigger plate. “3852” is marked on the butt of the stock and “1111/C” is arked inside the buttplate along with an illegible hand marking in white. It is fitted with a pinned German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. It is mounted with a finely figured, H-pattern checkered, Schnabel tip forearm with ebony insert and a checkered straight grip stock with a smooth shotgun buttplate. The consistent wear between the metal and wood on this rifle and the extended period of time between manufacture and receipt at the warehouse lead the writer to believe that it left the factory in this configuration without the ledger being modified, and has been paired with this wood ever since. It was not uncommon for special orders to be modified to meet demands before leaving the Winchester factory, and this rifle appears to be an example of just that. CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the faded original blue finish on the barrel, 40% of the original blue on the remainder, and strong traces of the original case colors on the hammer with the balance having thinned to mostly a mottled grey-brown patina. The wood is very good with some minor handling marks scattered throughout, a small patch of filler near the upper right tang, and mostly well-defined, partially recut checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
m