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Exceptional Documented Second Year Production Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:13,000.00 USD Estimated At:32,500.00 - 47,500.00 USD
Exceptional Documented Second Year Production Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle
This is a beautiful example of an antique Winchester Model 1886 as manufactured in 1887, the second year of production. Chambered for the .40-65 W.C.F. cartridge, the rifle has a 26 inch round barrel and casehardened receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate. The barrel is fitted with a fixed front German silver blade sight and adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight. The barrel, full length magazine and bolt are blued. The trigger and loading gate have a fire-blue finish. The forearm and stock are varnished walnut. The upper receiver tang has the early style, one-line, marking: "- MODEL 1886-". The serial number is located on the end of the lower tang with the early, two-line, patent marking: "-PAT.OCT.14.1884./JAN.20.1885.-" marked just behind the trigger. The top of the barrel is marked: "-MANUFACTUED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN.CONN. U.S.A.-" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber designation: "40-65 W.C.F." is located on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. Based on the John Browning patent, the Model 1886 was one of the finest and strongest lever actions ever produced in a Winchester rifle. The rifle is accompanied by a Cody Museum letter confirming the rifle configuration, caliber, round barrel, plain trigger and that it shipped on 9-13-1888.
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 40-65
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 14040
Condition: Magnificent. The barrel, magazine and bolt retain 99% of the bright original blue finish. The receiver and forend cap retain 98% plus of the bright, deep, vivid original case colors. The hammer and lever retain most of the case colors and the forend cap shows strong original brilliant case colors. The buttplate has traces of original color while the majority is a smooth satin gray patina. The loading gate retains 99% of the original bright niter blue (indicating very little use) and the trigger retains approximately 85% with flaking on the face. The wood is also magnificent with 99% of the original varnish remaining and overall some scattered minor dings and dents. The markings are crisp and clean. The action is excellent. This is an exceptionally nice casehardened Winchester Model 1886 that would be difficult to improve on.