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LOT 3025
Exceptional Antique
Special Order Winchester
Deluxe Model 1886 Lever
Action Rifle in Highly
Desirable .45-70 W.C.F. with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 66932,
45-70 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1892, this is an exceptional
example of a special ordered, deluxe Winchester Model 1886 rifle in
the ever-desirable .45-70 W.C.F. The Model 1886 was the first repeater John
Moses Browning designed for Winchester, as well as being Winchester’s first lever
action capable of handling the most powerful cartridges of the day, such as the venerable .45-70 W.C.F., which this
example is chambered in. Prior to the introduction of the Model 1886, Winchester’s repeaters were limited to less powerful cartridges, due to the inherent weaknesses
of the toggle link design, which they had essentially been based on since the introduction of the Henry rifle in the 1860s. Due to the dependable and robust nature of the ‘86s
action, as well as the powerful cartridges they were chambered in, they immediately gained popularity in the American West. Being the standard U.S. Government rifle cartridge
of the era, .45-70 would have been prevalent on the frontier, and was more than capable of stopping any danger one might face, man or beast. Thus, a rifle such as this one
would have been a treasured companion for anyone in the West who valued power and reliability. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .45-70 caliber with an octagon barrel,
set trigger, and checkered pistol grip stock when received at the warehouse on 16 May 1892, and shipped on 20 May 1892 in order number 23705. This example has the very
attractive casehardened receiver, which was standard on the model until around 1901. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address, as well as the caliber
marking at the breech. The model marking is on the upper tang, while the lower tang is marked with the two-line patent dates and the serial number. The left side of the lower tang
is marked “200XX”, with “200” repeated in the stock inlet and inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a beaded blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight, and a special ordered single set
trigger. It is mounted with a very finely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert at the base of the grip and a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus of the original blue finish, 75% plus of the vibrant original case colors, and 70% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the
balance mostly a smooth grey patina, a few scattered patches of light freckling, and a patch of oxidation on the buttplate. The wood is also exceptionally fine with some scattered minor dings/
scratches and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional original example of a special ordered, deluxe Winchester Model 1886 in the ever-desirable .45-70 W.C.F. caliber!
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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