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LOT 3022 Winchester Semi-Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Rare .38-70 WCF with Factory Letter - Serial no. 123628, 38-70 WCF cal., 28 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Offered here is a semi-deluxe Model 1886 lever action rifle chambered in rare .38-70 WCF that was manufactured in 1901. The Winchester Arms Collector Association forum and John Madl’s CFM Winchester Model 1886 carbine record searches identified approximately half of one percent (nearly 850 guns) only, out of the 160,000 Model 1886s manufactured, were produced in .38-70 WCF caliber. Thought this survey analyzed carbines, the relative rarity of the caliber also applies to rifles. This example is made even more desirable by having a casehardened receiver and semi- deluxe configuration. The accompanying factory letter confirms the half octagon 28 inch barrel in .38-70 caliber, plain trigger, checkered plain stock, and Rocky Mountain front and sporting leaf sights. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on April 25, 1901 and shipped on April 29, 1901. The rifle is fitted with a Rocky Mountain with blade insert front sight, sporting leaf rear sight graduated from 2-10 and a Lyman tang mounted peep sight. The receiver has the sought after casehardened finish, which was found only on Model 1886s manufactured prior to 1902. Besides the receiver, the forend cap, hammer, lever and buttplate are also casehardened. The top barrel flat has the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “38-70 WCF” at the breech. The lower tang has the serial number and two-line patent dates marking. Import marked on underside of barrel. The special order plain walnut forearm and straight grip stock feature factory checkering. Any of the deluxe grades of wood make for a rare Model 1886. Winchester expert and author George Madis noted, “Deluxe models 86 in the rifles made after 1900 are hard to find, partly due to the higher cost of deluxe features” (“The Winchester Book,” page 312). The Model 1886 was a working man’s gun, and customers were not inclined to spend extra money for special features. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 90% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The bolt retains 90% original blue finish. The receiver retains 75% plus vivid original case colors. The hammer and lever retain 70% original case colors. Muted patterns of original case colors remain on the forend cap and buttplate. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The wood is fine with a number of minor dings and scratches and wear along the top of the checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500