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LOT 1008
Antique Special Order Casehardened Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever
Action Rifle in .45-90 W.C.F. with Factory Letter and Leather Case - Serial
no. 70619, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, deluxe walnut
stock. 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. This beautiful Winchester Model 1886 was manufactured in 1892 and has a nickel-silver Rocky Mountain blade front sight, the two-line address on top of the barrel ahead of the D.W. King rear sight (elevator absent), “45-90 W.C.F.” on top at the breech, “-MODEL 1886-” on the upper tang, the patent marking behind the adjustable single set trigger, script serial number at the back of the lower tang, blued barrel
and full-length magazine tube, niter blue loading gate, casehardened remaining metal, and style-H checkered fancy grade walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with crescent rifle buttplate and contrasting grip inlay. The figure on the stock and forearm is outstanding. The included factory letter confirms the octagon barrel in .45-90 caliber, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, and sporting leaf and Lyman hunting front sights. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on November 14, 1892 and shipped the next day. The rifle is accompanied by a russet leather case with a compartment for ammunition and accessories and a leather
shoulder strap.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original fiery case colors on the frame and smaller components, 75% plus original blue on the
barrel, similar amount of blue with some touch ups on the magazine tube, 90% bright original niter blue on the loading gate, and
minor overall handling and storage type wear overall including some fading at the muzzle and bottom of the frame. The rear sight
elevator is absent. Aside from recut checkering on the forend and a repaired chip at the lower corner on the right side of the wrist
(see photo), the wood is also very fine and has beautiful figure, glossy finish, and some minor dings and light scratches. Mechanically
excellent. The case is very good with mild age and storage related wear including some crackling and broken straps.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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