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The included factory letter lists this rifle in .40-82 caliber with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, and a checkered
pistol grip stock with a shotgun buttplate when received at the warehouse on 1 August 1890, and shipped the same
day in order number 15082. Winchester author and historian George Madis estimates that only one out of every 320
Model 1886s was ordered with special wood, one out of every 570 had checkered or carved wood, and only one out of
every 420 was ordered with a special butt.
This rifle has the beautifully casehardened receiver, which was standard on the Model 1886 until around 1901. The top barrel
flat is marked with the standard two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech, while the upper left flat has the
period inscribed initials “C.P.” in script. The upper tang is marked with the model designation and the lower tang has the two-
line patent dates and serial number. The left side of the lower tang is marked with the assembly number “35 XXX S”, with “35”
repeated in the stock inlet and inside the buttplate. The rifle is fitted with a German silver No. 21 “Sporting” blade front sight
and an elevation adjustable No. 24 “Sporting” notch rear sight. It is mounted with a highly figured, H-pattern checkered forearm
and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert at the base of the grip and a smooth steel shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish with a few patches of light pitting/grey patina towards the
middle of the barrel on the upper right and the middle of the magazine tube on the left. It retains 90% plus of the vibrant original case
colors on the receiver, hammer, and lever and 97% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the buttplate mostly grey patina.
The wood is also exceptionally fine with some scattered light dings, mostly on the forearm, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
This is an exceptional example of a documented special ordered Winchester deluxe Model 1886 rifle!
Estimate: 50,000 - 70,000
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