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Documented Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with Arapahoe County Inscription and Factory Let

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Documented Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with Arapahoe County Inscription and Factory Let
This is a nice example of a Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle that was manufactured in 1893 and shipped from the warehouse in 1894. The rifle has a blue barrel, magazine, loading gate and bolt; the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The left side of the receiver is engraved "Arapahoe County" in script. The top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight is marked "-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN, U.S.A.". , "40-82 W.C.F." is marked on top at the breech, "-MODEL 1886-" on the upper tang and the serial number is marked on the lower tang behind the lever, and marked "PAT, OCT. 14, 1884 / JAN. 20, 1885" directly behind the trigger. The barrel is equipped with a dovetailed silver blade front and adjustable rear buckhorn sights, full magazine and mounted with a smooth forearm with an iron end cap and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. The accompanying factory letter verifies the serial number, rifle configuration, 40/82 caliber, round barrel, plain trigger, engraved "Arapahoe Co. and that it was received and shipped on July 14, 1894 on order number 16557 with 49 other arms.
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 40-82 WCF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 89693


Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 95% original blue finish with some thinning, minor scratches and streaks of smooth brown patina. 99% original bright blue finish remains on the bolt. The receiver retains 50% bright original case colors with the balance having aged to a smooth silver gray. The lever retains approximately 30% vivid original case colors with the balance a smooth silver gray. The buttplate shows a smooth silver gray with some faded case colors on the tang and the hammer retains much of the original colors. The wood is excellent with only a few overall scattered minor dings and handling marks. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. Writer assumes the rifle was shipped to Arapahoe County, Colorado. Some research may prove interesting.