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LOT 30
Historic Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .50-100-450 with
Factory Letter and Research - Serial no. 74637, 50-100-450 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. A true rarity, the .50-100-450 Winchester was only chambered in 232 rifles and carbines according to page 70 of “Identifying Your Model 1886 Winchester”
by John Madl. The included copy of the factory letter list the correct caliber, octagon barrel,
and plain trigger when it was received in the warehouse on June 24, 1895 and shipped out on June 28th. Accompanying the letter are copies of Cody research letter and serial number data sheet stating that this rifle was the first to be listed in the factory records as .50-100-450 and
was in the first order to be shipped, while also acknowledging the earlier shipment of three rifles with calibers listed as “50/100”. There is some confusion around this topic with researchers Jim Paul and Tom Adams taking all guns listed as .50-100 in the factory records as .50-100-450, while others believe the .50-100 listed guns to be in the standard .50 Express (.50-100-300) chambering. Either way, there is no doubt that this rifle was among the first to leave the factory with this chambering.
This rifle is fitted with a beaded blade front sight and No. 34 three leaf rear sight on the blued barrel which is marked with standard Winchester marking on the top flat along with the highly desirable “50-100-450” marking ahead of the breech. The full length magazine is also blued.
The receiver, hammer, lever, and forend cap
are vibrantly casehardened. Plainly figured forend and
straight grip stock with casehardened crescent buttplate and
sling eyelets, scarcely encountered on .50 caliber Winchesters.
The rifle has been fully restored to factory specifications
by Turnbull Restorations including a new forend, stock with
buttplate, and barrel which is marked to match the original,
including the “54” for the rifling twist rate (forend not removed
to confirm consignor information). The 1-54 rifling twist is specific
to .50-100-450 chambered rifles as the larger 450 grain bullet needed
the faster rifling to stabilize over the 1-60 of the .50 Express. Included
with the lot are the original stock, forend, and barrel which was copied when stamping the replacement.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored overall. 99% blue and casehardened finish with limited handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss your chance to own this milestone in big bore Winchester history! Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
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