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LOT 28
Excellent Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in
Desirable .45-70 Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 50618, 45-70 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. The John Moses Browning designed
Model 1886 was the first Winchester repeater capable of chambering the .45-70 and had one of the strongest lever actions ever used in a Winchester rifle. It was developed
as a replacement for the weaker toggle link action Model 1876, but their production was fairly limited at
around 160,000 between 1886 and 1935. The powerful Winchester Model 1886 remains one of the most iconic lever action rifles of all time. This classic Winchester
Model 1886 rifle was manufactured in 1890 and is chambered in the popular cartridge: .45-70 Government. The factory letter indicates the serial number was applied on December 18, 1890, and lists the rife in .45-70 with an octagon barrel and plain trigger. It was received in the warehouse on June 1, 1892, and shipped on September 29, 1892, in order 6677. It is a high condition example that will make a great addition to any Winchester or lever action collection. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight marked “1886.” The barrel has a top flat that is stamped with the two-line Winchester New Haven address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and has a upper left flat that is stamped “45-70” at the breech. The upper tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-”, and the lower tang has the serial number and two-line patent dates. The receiver has the desirable casehardened finish. Mounted with plain walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel and magazine retain 90% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 95% original blue remains on the bolt. The loading gate retains 97% plus original nitre blue. 95% vivid original case colors remain on the frame. The forend cap, hammer, and lever retain 90% original case colors. 50% original case colors remain on the buttplate. The wood is also excellent with numerous scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is a highly attractive Winchester Model 1886 rifle chambered in desirable .45-70 caliber and very desirable casehardened action.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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