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LOT 1054
Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Takedown Rifle in Rare .50-100-450 Express - Serial no. 148330, 50-100-450 cal., 26 inch octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Released in 1893-1894, the .50-100-450 Express cartridge was one of the most powerful commercial cartridges available at
the time, and it quickly proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Winchester rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped
to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. Demand for the cartridge in the United States was
low however, and relatively few of these rifles were manufactured. The Model 1886 in .50 Express was only produced in limited numbers, especially when compared to the
smaller calibers. Today Winchesters in .50 Express are a highly sought after collectible. Examples in any condition are proving difficult to find. This example was manufactured in 1910. It is fitted with
a beaded blade front sight and three leaf rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and “50-100-450” at the breech. Winchester factory
oval proofs are stamped on the receiver and barrel at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model designation/trade mark information, and the lower tang has the two-line patent dates and serial number. It is
mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. Unfortunately, no factory record on this serial range available in the Cody records.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 90% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The takedown collar retains 40% original blue finish. The forend cap retains 95% original blue finish. The receiver retains 30% plus original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The bolt retains 97% original blue finish. Buttplate is a mix of brown and gray patinas. 30% faded original case colors remain on the lever and hammer. The wood is excellent with some scattered minor handling marks and light texturing to the stock finish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1055
Winchester Deluxe Model 1895 Lever Action Takedown Rifle in .35 W.C.F. - Serial
no. 88349, 35 WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, highly figured checkered walnut stock. Manufactured in 1915. The
barrel is equipped with a W.F. Sheard blade front sight and an elevation adjustable
rear sight. Standard Winchester markings including the factory oval proof on the barrel and receiver at the
breech are present. The top of the receiver ring is matted. The select grade walnut forearm and straight grip stock are checkered and feature an ebony forend insert and solid recoil pad. According to noted Winchester expert and author George Madis, only
one in each 1,000 Model 1895s had checkering or carving. The .35 Winchester Centerfire cartridge was rather scarce compared to the more popular .30-40
Krag and of course the 7.62x54 mm rimmed cartridge that was used for the Russian contract that accounts for over half of the Model 1895 production run.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus original blue finish showing some brown patina on the takedown collar and some scattered light pitting visible on the barrel towards the muzzle. The wood is also excellent showing minimal minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. The recoil pad has hardened. Mechanically excellent.
58 Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000