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Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action
Rifle in Desirable .45-70 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 94912, 45-70 cal., 26 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
fancy checkered walnut stock. This Winchester Model 1886 rifle has several special order features that make it highly desirable to serious Winchester
collectors. Besides its deluxe configuration, these special order features include the half octagon barrel, short magazine and shotgun buttplate. The combination
of special order features makes this Model 1886 a standout piece in Winchester collecting. The accompanying factory letter confirms the half octagon barrel in .45-70 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, 4-cartridge magazine tube, and shotgun
butt with hard rubber buttplate. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on November 19, 1894 and shipped on the same day. The rifle is fitted with a blade insert front sight, a folding ladder rear
sight, and a folding tang peep sight. It has an early casehardened receiver, standard only on Model 1886 rifle manufactured before 1902 and is
chambered in the desirable .45-70 caliber. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester address ahead of the rear sight and “45-70” at the breech. The lower tang has
the patent dates marking as well as the serial number. The forearm and pistol grip stock are select grade walnut and feature “H” pattern checkering. The buttstock has an ebony grip insert and hard rubber Winchester shotgun buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked “421 RB XX.” The assembly number “421” is repeated on the stock inlet.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 80% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The breech bolt retains 95% original blue finish. 25% of the original nitre blue remain on the loading gate. The receiver retains patterns of original case colors in and around the sheltered areas, otherwise faded to an attractive silver-gray. Traces of case colors remain on the forend cap, hammer and lever and have also faded to an attractive silver-gray. The wood is very fine with minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
E
Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 51720, 44 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895 with the two-line address/
patent information on the top barrel flat, “44 W.C.F.” on the top left flat, and factory oval proofs at the breech and on the receiver. The upper tang
is marked with the three-line model/trademark information and the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. The left side of the lower tang is marked “2525 XXX”, with “2525” repeated in the stock inlet (over “92”) and on the butt of the stock, and “2945”
on the inside of the replacement buttplate. There is a similar pattern of five punch dots marked on the left sides of both the upper and lower tang, the meaning of which in unclear.
It features dovetailed blade front, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear, and tang mounted peep sights, and a set trigger. It is mounted with a “XXX” fancy walnut checkered pistol grip stock with hard rubber grip cap and a crescent buttplate. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .44 caliber
with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, and a checkered pistol grip stock when received at the warehouse on 5 December 1896 and shipped the same day in order number 24833.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a plum brown patina, primarily in handling areas and on edges. 40% of the original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 50% of the original case colors remain on the hammer. The wood is also very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches, otherwise crisp checkering, and retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent.
36 Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3040
Fine Documented Special
stimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 3041
Highly Desirable Documented Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1892 Lever