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LOT 9
Exceptional Antique Winchester Model 1892 Lever Action Rifle in
.38 W.C.F. - Serial no. 53542, 38 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, this is an exceptional example of an antique
Winchester Model 1892 rifle. These standard configuration rifles were highly valued, particularly in the American
West, where they could be paired with a Single Action Army revolver in the same caliber. They were typically viewed as
a tool and are often found showing signs of hard use on the frontier, leaving very few examples available to collectors in high
condition like this example. Having been made when much of the western frontier remained fairly unsettled, this rifle could have easily been
the prized possession of a rancher for protecting his herd. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang is marked with
the three-line model, trademark, and patent date information, while the serial number is marked on the lower tang. It is fitted with a Beach combination front sight, an elevation adjustable No. 24 rear
sight, and a graduated peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish, 70% plus of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and lever, and 40% of the original nitre blue on the loading
gate with the balance having thinned to either a grey or brown patina. The wood is very fine with a few scattered light scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. These high condition, standard
configuration, antique Model 1892s are difficult to find!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 8
Highly Attractive Antique Special Order Winchester
Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 96906, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch part octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1894, this is a very attractive
example of the formidable John Browning designed, Winchester Model 1886 in a
highly desirable special order, deluxe configuration and chambered in the powerful .45-90 W.C.F. cartridge.
The Model 1886 was the first repeater designed by Browning for Winchester, and it stood head and shoulders above
the company’s previous toggle-link designs with regards to the strength of the action, allowing it to utilize some of the most
powerful cartridges of the time. A Model 1886 in .45-90 W.C.F. such as this example would have been capable of taking some of the largest and most dangerous game on the planet.
The included factory letter lists this rifle in .45-90 caliber with a half octagon barrel, plain trigger, Lyman combination front sight, and a fancy checkered stock with sling swivels and a shotgun
butt when received at the warehouse on 23 April 1895, and shipped the following day in order number 10597. The letter further lists three repair and return dates of 22 June 1896, 27 March 1897,
and 5 June 1908. These first return and repair dates appear to have been simple factory maintenance, keeping the rifle in peak condition to perform, quite possibly by a dangerous game hunter
whose success and life were depending on it. The receiver on this rifle would have originally been casehardened, which was standard on
the ‘86 until 1901. During the 1908 repair date, the rifle received a full factory blue finish, as well as the oval proofs which are present on the
barrel and the receiver at the breech, which started in use in 1905. The top flat of the barrel has the standard two-line address and the caliber
marking at the breech. The upper tang has the model marking, while the serial number is on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked
“445 SXX”, with “445” crossed out, as well as “689”. The stock inlet is marked both “689” and “445”, and the inside of the buttplate is stamped “445 S”. It is fitted with a
Lyman No. 5-I combination front sight, an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight, and factory sling swivel eyes on the forearm cap and bottom of the buttstock. It is fitted
with a very nicely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and straight grip stock with a smooth steel shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the factory applied blue finish with some areas of mild flaking showing a mix of grey and brown patina, most noticeably on the
bottom of the receiver and buttplate. There are a few minor scratches near the
rear sight which is slightly loose in the dovetail. The factory restored wood is
also very fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches and mostly crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive, special order, deluxe
Model 1886 in the ever-desirable .45-90 W.C.F.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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