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LOT 1035 Documented Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 104128, 38-56 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon barrel in .38-56 caliber, set trigger and checkered pistol grip stock. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on August 5, 1895 and shipped the next day. The rifle is fitted with a King beaded blade front sight and a Winchester No. 26A California full buckhorn rear sight. The sought after casehardened receiver is fitted with double close set triggers. The desirable early casehardened receiver is found only on Model 1886 rifles manufactured prior to 1902. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “38-56 W.C.F.” at the breech. The upper tang is stamped “-MODEL 1886-.” The lower tang has the serial number and the two-line patent dates marking. The receiver, hammer, main trigger, lever, forend cap and crescent buttplate are casehardened. The loading gate is nitre blue. The remaining surfaces are blued. The “XX” deluxe walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature factory “H” pattern fine checkering. The buttstock is fitted with a Winchester hard rubber grip cap. The left side of the right tang is marked “23.” The left side of the lower tang is marked “623 XX.” The assembly number “623” is repeated on the stock inlet and the back of the buttplate. The butt of the stock under the buttplate is hand marked “DON NICHOLS” and “CHEYENNE/WYOMING.” The combination of deluxe/special order features makes this Model 1886 a rare example. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine retain 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The bolt retains 95% original blue finish. The receiver retains 50% plus original case colors with striking colors on the left side. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The lever and hammer retain 70% original case colors. Traces of original case colors remain on the forend cap. The casehardened buttplate has silvered out. The wood is also fine with minor dings, most of the original varnish remaining, and scratches and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Rifle with double set triggers. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 13,000 - 19,000 35