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Exceptional Factory Documented Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe 50 Express Take Down Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Exceptional Factory Documented Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe 50 Express Take Down Lever Action Rifle
This is an outstanding example of an all original and near mint, deluxe, special order Winchester Model 1886 lever action rifle that has been fitted with "Six Special Order" factory features that is documented by a Winchester factory letter dated Feb 1990. The factory letter lists that this rifle as being shipped from the warehouse on October 30, 1894. It has the Winchester all blue factory finish on the metal parts with the deluxe high polished varnished finish on the wood with a color casehardened cocking lever, hammer and buttplate. To start off this rifle is chamber in the super desirable big ".50 Express" caliber, (also called the 50/110) with the full length 26 inch octagon barrel. This was the largest and most potent caliber that was offered by the Winchester factory at this time and which could certainly handle any large game animal in the world and was certainly the equivalent of several of the British Express rifles also produced at this time. The additional special order features are as follows: 1) it has a deluxe extra fancy walnut stock and forend with beautiful grain, 2) the rifle is fitted with the pistol grip stock with the Winchester Ebony insert; 3) both the stock and forend are factory checkered on both sides in a fine line pattern, 4) the barrel/receiver are fitted with the take down feature that would allow the barrel to be removed so that it could be easily stored and carried in a mutton case, 5) it has the special order Lyman/Winchester number 5-I, combination folding globe/ivory bead front sight, with an original and very RARE Winchester mid-range Vernier target rear sight; 6) the barrel is fitted with the very rare, special order Winchester number 34 "Express" rear sight that is equipped with two folding leaves and one standing fixed leaf. All three leaves have the RARE platinum sighting lines. (it should be noted that although this last sight feature is not listed in the letter, we are 100% certain that it is completely factory original to the rifle). The top of the barrel is roll-marked in two lines; " -----MANUFACTURED BY THE----/----WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.----", and directly in front of the receiver it is marked ".50 EX.". The top of the receiver has the small intertwined "WP" Winchester proofmark. The Winchester factory initials "AG" are stamped on the underside of the rifle, directly in front of the right locking block, and directly behind the trigger it is marked in two lines, "PAT. OCT.14.1884/JAN.20.1885" with the serial number (93525) towards the rear of the lower tang. As noted the metal parts are finish in the Winchester high polish factory blue finish, with the high deluxe hand rubbed high polish varnish on the stock and forend with the color casehardened cocking lever, hammer and buttplate.
BBL: 26 inch octagon
Stock: deluxe walnut checkered
Gauge: 50 express
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 93525
Condition: Excellent with 97% plus of the bright original factory blued finish overall, with just some very, very minor edge and high spot wear on the top and sides of the receiver, probably just from being handled, with a small patch of blue just starting to flake on the left side of the barrel extension of the take down mechanism. The barrel exhibits the same 99% blue finish with just a slight amount of wear on the edges and high spots, with some wear on the upper end of the magazine tube from being rotated to disassemble the rifle. The stock and forend both show 99% of their original factory high polished varnished with only a few minor handling marks from handling over the years. The wood to metal fit is tight and solid and neither one looks to have ever been removed since leaving the factory, with nice sharp (unbuggered) screw heads. The cocking lever retains 40% of it's original case colors with fiery case colors on the inside of the loop and up next to the receiver, with the sides having faded over the years. The hammer retains 90% of its case colors having turned a dark color over the years and the buttplate retains 25% of it's case colors mostly on the heel and toe with the center section having faded over the years to a nice aged patina. A spectacular example of an all original, Deluxe, Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action rifle.