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LOT 3013
Rare Documented Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Highly Desirable .50-100-450
Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 102154, 50-100-450 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, this is an exceptional example of Winchester’s Model 1886 chambered in the
most powerful big bore cartridge it was offered in. The .50/100/450 Express not only held a special place in the hearts
of those on the frontier seeking a rifle that could stop anything, but has also remained highly sought after among
Winchester collectors. 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”). With so few being
made, there are hardly enough surviving Winchester “Big Fifty” Model 1886s to meet demand, with high condition
examples like this one being even more scarce. These rifles had more than enough power to dispatch all large
North American game as well as all but the most dangerous game in Africa, making them highly prized among big
game hunters. Due to their popularity among frontier hunters, these big bore Winchesters are often seen in well-
used condition, with very little finish remaining. This particular rifle is very obviously an exception to that rule. The
included factory letter lists the serial number as applied on 15 June 1895. It shows that the rifle was in .50-100 caliber
with an octagon barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 29 July 1895 and shipped on 14 August
1895 in order number 17900. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address and the caliber marking at the
breech. The upper tang has the model marking and the lower tang is marked with the serial number. It is fitted with
a German silver blade front sight and “1886” marked folding ladder rear sight, with factory index mark visible on the
barrel in front of it. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and attractively figured straight grain and straight gripped
stock with a crescent buttplate.