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From 1904 to 1907 it appears that the carbine may
have been in the hands of Winchester salesmen or
passing to various retailers for display, given that the
language in the letter changes from “received” to
“returned”, and then the carbine is listed as sold in late
1907, followed by another return date shortly after,
and then two return and repair dates in 1910. It was
not uncommon for these exhibition Winchesters to be
touched up and maintained by the factory in between
shows, as it is very likely they received significant
handling by the attendees of these wildly popular
fairs, and this example appears to be no exception,
showing signs of being a well-maintained factory
showpiece.
The carbine itself shows very attractive factory panel
scene engraving, almost certainly by Master Engraver
John Ulrich, with Winchester historian and author R. L. Wilson previously
indicating the engraving on this carbine’s twin was by Ulrich. The engraving itself does not appear to be a standard pattern
offered by Winchester, but certainly shows the hallmarks of being John Ulrich’s work. The receiver shows extensive floral scroll and wavy/dot borders, a
distinct S-shaped Gustave Young inspired scroll on the right above the loading gate, and a beautiful game scene on the left featuring a buck and doe at the
edge of a forest. The engraved receiver is gold plated, while the remainder of the components are finished with nickel plating. The barrel and receiver both
have Winchester factory oval proofs which were added during one of its returns after 1905. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and the
caliber marking “45-90/W.C.F.” at the breech. The upper tang has the model marking and is factory drilled and tapped for a peep sight with a filler screw in
place. The lower tang is marked with the two-line patent dates and the serial number. The left side of the lower tang is marked “365 XX”, with “365” repeated
in the stock inlet and inside the buttplate, which is also marked “969” under two dots and with a sideways “S”. It is fitted with a pinned beaded blade front
sight, folding ladder rear sight factory modified to a two-lead type, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with an extremely finely figured,
H-pattern checkered forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate, which has a flourish of floral scroll engraving.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% of the factory nickel plating with some scattered patches of speckled light flaking. 40% of the factory gold plating
remains with some mild wear and flaking, typical of such an exhibition piece. The exquisite engraving remains crisp overall apart from the flourish on the
buttplate which is slightly softened. The wood is exceptionally fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
This is a well-documented and well-traveled, John Ulrich factory master engraved, Winchester Model 1886 carbine manufactured specifically for display at
various international exhibitions. Exhibition firearms are among the most desirable of all American and international firearms. Winchester held nothing back
when creating their extravagant display pieces to impress potential clients.
Estimate: 75,000 - 110,000
According to John T. Madl's research on
Winchester 1886 Carbines, only three examples
are listed as having $5.00 engraving and half
nickel-half gold plated finish.
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