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LOT 1017
Rare Special Order Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with Set Trigger in
Highly Desirable .50-100-450 Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 106130, 50-100-450 cal.,
26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened 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. Per Jim Paul and Tom Adams, only 331 Model 1886s left the Winchester factory
chambered in .50-100-450 from 1894 to 1913 (See the article “Winchester Model 1886 Caliber 50-100-450). 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 1895. The factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on October 2, 1895, and shipped on
October 4 with a round barrel in .50-100 caliber, set trigger, and Lyman rear and hunting front sights. The rifle is fitted with a white beaded front
sight (Lyman hunting front sight), a filler block in the rear sight dovetail, and unmarked Lyman receiver peep sight. The sight configuration is a special order feature.
The top of the barrel has the two-line Winchester address and the caliber designation “50-100-450.” The casehardened receiver is fitted with special order “close coupled” set trigger. Winchester introduced
double set triggers in 1895, the same year this rifle was shipped. Out of the 331 Model 1886s chambered in .50-100-450, only 15 had set triggers (see aforementioned article). The upper tang is marked “-MODEL
1886-”, and the lower tang has the serial number and the two-line patent dates marking. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and magazine tube retain 40% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The bolt retains 80% original blue finish. Traces of original nitre blue remains on
the loading gate. The receiver, hammer, and lever retain 30% original case colors. The top of tang has a visible plug which is in place of the obliterated “1” in “MODEL 1886” factory marking. There is some pitting on
the mostly silvered out buttplate. The refinished buttstock is a replacement, otherwise the wood is also very good with draw file marks visible on both sides at frame juncture. Mechanically excellent. A highly desirable
special order antique Winchester Model 1886 lever action rifle in very scarce .50-100-450 caliber.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 1016
Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with
Casehardened Frame and Factory Letter - Serial no. 54262, 40-60 WCF
cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in
1886. The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .40-60 caliber,
casehardened frame, plain trigger (currently has a set trigger) and checkered pistol grip stock
when it was received in warehouse on July
22, 1886 and shipped the same day. The letter lists a return
and repair date (Sept. 22, 1899). The extra long 28 inch barrel (not documented in the letter but
probably installed when it was returned in 1899) has dovetailed blade and folding ladder rear sights and
is marked with the two-line address/patent dates and “CAL 40-60.” The cartridge elevator is marked “40-60,”
and the upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873.” The pistol grip stock features a hard rubber factory grip cap
and buttplate with trapdoor. A 5-piece sectional steel cleaning rod is included. The left side of the lower tang is
marked “2622 XXX.” The butt is marked “622.” The buttplate is marked “0/2622.”
CONDITION: Very fine as factory refurbished. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap and lever retain 95% blue and 80% casehardened finishes. The hammer,
frame and buttplate retain 85% case colors and 40% blue finish remains on the dust cover. The buttstock is fine with a number of minor dings and scratches and some wear in the checkering.
The forearm was re-checkered. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000