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LOT 8
Rare and Desirable, Documented, 1897 New York Exhibition “Factory Display Gun”, Special Order Winchester Model 1887 Deluxe Lever Action Shotgun with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 60143, 12 gauge, 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1897, this is a very finely finished example of a special order Winchester “semi-deluxe” Model 1887 shotgun which was shipped to and displayed at one of the 19th century’s premier
exhibitions. The included factory letter lists the shotgun in
12 gauge, with a 30 inch barrel, “good Damascus”, and an oil
finished, fancy, checkered stock with a rubber buttplate when
originally received at the warehouse on 4 March 1897, with the
additional notation “To Russ”. The letter goes on to state that
the shotgun was again received at the warehouse on 19 July
with the notations “made fancy” and “NY Ex ‘97”. The final notations on the letter are that it was again received at the
warehouse 7 July 1899 and a return and repair date of 5 August 1899 as part of order number 33075. The writer has concluded that “NY
Ex ’97” notation references the American Institute Fair, which was held annually in New York City from 1829 to 1897 and has been considered the first world’s fair in the U.S. A period publication referred to the American Institute Fair as an “important gathering of the inventors and manufacturers of America.” In the late nineteenth century, Winchester certainly met the criteria to be among America’s top innovators displaying to the public “the finest products of agriculture and manufacturing.” For 40 days in 1897, the American Institute Fair was held at Madison Square Garden. The shotgun has a single bead sight on the barrel with a 2 5/8 inch chamber and choke marked “FULL”. It is marked with the standard “WRACO” monogram on the left side of the casehardened receiver along with double line border engraving. The left side of the lower tang is marked “320 XXX”, with “320” repeated in the stock inlet. It is mounted with a double-diamond checkered, two-piece slab forend and very finely figured, checkered, pistol grip stock with checkered hard rubber buttplate and 13 inch length of pull.
LOT 9
Exceptional Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .45-70 Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 49843, 45-70 cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1890. 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 is chambered in the popular cartridge: .45-70 Government. The factory letter indicates the serial number was applied on November 21, 1890, and confirms the rifle in .45-70 with round
barrel and plain trigger when it was received in the warehouse on January 7, 1891 and shipped on January 14, 1891 to order number 24365. 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 top of the barrel is marked with the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and the caliber designation “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.
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