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LOT 31
Exceptionally Fine Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle
in Desirable .45-90 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 78519, 45-90
WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The
accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon barrel in .45-90 caliber and plain trigger
as well as received in the warehouse on May 23, 1893 and shipped on June 6, 1894. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable
buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “45-90 WCF” at the breech. The receiver has the
desirable casehardened finish, which was found only on Model 1886 rifles manufactured prior to 1902. Besides the receiver, the forend cap, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate are casehardened. The lower tang has the two-line
patent dates marking as well as the serial number. The upper tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-.” The forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut. The John Moses Browning designed Winchester Model 1886 is one of the most popular
Winchester lever actions. Browning’s design refined by Winchester’s team was capable of firing more powerful cartridges than any Winchester repeater before making it an excellent big game rifle, but production was still very limited compared to Winchester’s
smaller rifles like the Model 1892 and 1894. Only 160,000 were manufactured between 1886 and the end of production in 1935 compared to 1,000,000 Model
1894s already manufactured by 1927, and 1,004,675 Model 1892 manufactured before production was halted in 1941. The earlier 1886s, especially high
condition rifles with stunning original case colors like this one, are highly sought after and valuable firearms.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 95% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on a small spot on the upper left
barrel flat. 95% original blue remains on the bolt. 80% plus vivid original case colors remain on the receiver. 85% original case colors remain on the forend cap,
hammer, lever and buttplate. 95% original niter blue remains on the loading gate. The wood is very fine showing minor dings and numerous scratches on the
right side of the forend, retaining most of the original finish on the balance. A high condition antique Winchester Model 1886 lever action rifle in desirable .45-90 WCF that will be
a welcomed addition to any lever action collection. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
in .45-60 caliber and set trigger. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on August 17, 1886 and shipped on August 21, 1886 with one other arm. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight graduated to 1,000 yards and marked “1876.” The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-
line Winchester address/King’s patent marking ahead of the rear sight and “CAL 45-60” at the breech. The upper tang has the model marking: “MODEL 1876.” The lower tang has the serial number. The cartridge elevator is marked “45-60.” The
buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate, and the butt compartment contains a four piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The buttplate is mostly a smooth gray patina mixed with original blue and some pitting. 40% original niter blue remains on the loading gate. 30% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The wood is also very fine with minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
42 Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 32
Documented Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 52852, 45-60 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This high condition Winchester Model 1876 rifle is a third model with the integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear as well as having a special order set trigger. The Model 1876 was popular among those in the west
that believed .44-40 wasn’t quite enough stopping power for whatever they might encounter. The accompanying factory letter (copy) confirms the octagon barrel