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LOT 1039
Attractive Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action
Rifle in .40-65 W.C.F. - Serial no. 84522, 40-65 WCF cal., 26
inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1893, this is an attractive example of a
standard configuration, antique Winchester Model 1886 rifle
that even after 132 years remains in incredibly high condition.
The Winchester Model 1886 was designed by 19th and 20th
century American firearms icon John Moses Browning, and it
was Winchester’s first design robust enough to handle the most
powerful cartridges of the period, including the immensely
popular .45-70 Government and on up to the omnipotent .50-
110 W.C.F. Prior to the 1886, Winchester had utilized the weaker
toggle-link action which had basically carried through from
the much earlier legendary Henry rifle and even in their large
frame Model 1876 “Centennial” rifle was not strong enough
to handle such cartridges. These powerful and rugged rifles
quickly gained popularity, particularly among those heading
westward into the dangerous unknowns of the frontier who
wanted to have the firepower necessary to handle any perils they
might encounter. The American West in the late 19th century
certainly still remained a hostile environment, and, thus, these
early production Model 1886s typically show signs of hard
use in a harsh environment, particularly the more utilitarian,
standard configuration rifles like this example, which remains in
remarkably high condition.
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