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LOT 62
Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in
Highly Desirable .50 Express with Factory Letter - Serial no. 83556,
50 Express cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured in 1893, this is a solid example of a deluxe Winchester
Model 1886 chambered in the venerable .50 Express. The John Browning
designed ‘86 was significantly stronger than Winchester’s previous toggle-link
designs, which allowed it to be chambered in the most powerful cartridges of the
time. These “Big 50” Model 1886s were highly regarded during the period for being able to stop any game or
danger one might face on the North American frontiers in its tracks, and their rarity has kept them
extremely desirable on the collectors market to this day. The included factory letter lists this rifle
in .50-110 Express with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, and a checkered pistol grip stock when
received at the warehouse on 16 September 1893, and shipped two days later in order number
24494. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address, and the caliber marking
“50EX” is marked at the breech. The upper tang has the model marking, while the lower tang is
marked with the two-line patent dates and the serial number. The left side of the lower tang is
marked with the assembly number “990 XX”, with “990” stamped in the stock inlet to match, and
“990” marked inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a beaded blade front sight (bead replaced), an
elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight, and a combination peep sight on the upper tang. It
is mounted with a very nicely figured, replacement forearm, checkered in the H-pattern style, and
a checkered, replacement, pistol grip stock with an ebony insert at the base of the grip and the
original crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 40% plus of the thinned original blue finish with the balance mostly a plum-brown
patina, 30% of the original case colors remaining with the balance mostly silvered, and a couple small patches of
light pitting. The correct style replacement wood is very fine with some scattered light handling marks and mostly
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a Winchester deluxe Model 1886 in
highly desirable .50 Express!
Estimate: 16,000 - 22,500
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