1135

UNUSUAL SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 BIG 50 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 10,000.00 USD
UNUSUAL SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 BIG 50 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 108522. Cal. 50 EX (50-110). Standard grade rifle with 26" rd bbl, button magazine, silver bead jack front sight & 3-leaf carbine express rear sight. Chamber area is marked "50 EX". Left side of the bbl, left side of the receiver & bolt have British proofs. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & smooth steel shotgun buttplate. The Model 1886 & the big 50 caliber was a very popular hunting rifle in Great Britain for those intrepid souls who went on safari to India for tigers & to Africa for all manner of dangerous game. This cataloger speculates that a simple majority of 1886 rifles in the .50 cal were shipped to England. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in caliber .50 EX with rd bbl, plain trigger, 1/2 magazine and shotgun butt, received in the warehouse Apr 18, 1903 and shipped Apr 20, 1903 to order number 12885. Also accompanied by a target dated 5/28/12 where someone fired 3 sighting shots, moved the sights and shot 3 more rnds, dead center from 50 yds. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl retains about 70-75% strong orig blue with the loss areas flaked to a light patina. Receiver retains 70-80% strong orig blue with sharp edge wear, some light flaking and with thinning to the belly. Lever & hammer retain faded, strong case colors. Stock has a hairline on the back of the top tang, otherwise wood is sound with usual nicks, dings & scratches on the buttstock with heavier nicks, dings & scratches on the forearm and overall retains about 85% orig factory finish. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant, shiny bore. 4-48713 JR152