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Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with French Retailer Marking and Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with French Retailer Marking and Factory Letter
The Model 1886 had one of the finest and strongest lever actions ever utilized in a Winchester rifle. Manufactured in 1902 and features a brass topped front sight and adjustable rear buckhorn sight. The top barrel flat is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE / --WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.--" ahead of the rear sight and "40-82 W.C.F." between the rear sight and breech. The left side of the barrel just below the rear sight is marked "MANUFACTURE FRANCAISE D'ARMES & CYCLES St. ETIENNE". "-MODEL 1886-" is marked on the upper tang, the serial number is marked on the rear of the lower tang and the two line, two patent date marking directly behind the trigger. Blue barrel, bolt, receiver, forend cap and buttplate with a casehardened hammer and lever. Mounted with a smooth forearm with a straight grip stock with a steel shotgun buttplate. The numbers, "5278" are stamped on top of butt, forward of buttplate. The Winchester Repeating Fire Arms factory letter confirms the caliber, round barrel, plain trigger, and shotgun butt and was shipped February 3, 1903, order number 12266.
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 40-82 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 127080


Very good as partially refinished, with approximately 97% original blue finish with exception of a large patch of cold blue on the right side of barrel at the midway point. The receiver shows high edge wear with a little brown speckling and minor handling marks. The lever and hammer show about 75% vivid case colors. The stock shows minor handling marks with nearly all it's original finish, the forearm exhibiting some thinning on the right side. Mechanically excellent.