December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
It is estimated that only 374 1886 muskets were produced, making them the rarest of all production Winchester muskets and the rarest standard 1886 model. Per an included factory letter copy, this example was shipped as a musket in .45-70 September 20, 1893, on order 24059 with 24 other 1886s. Fit with a standard 30" brightly blued round barrel with 2-line address and ".45-70" markings. Blade front sight military ladder rear sight. Case hardened receiver is stamped "MODEL 1886" on the tang. Full-length smooth walnut forend with steel nose cap and a single barrel band with sling swivel. Straight grain walnut stock with rear sling swivel and steel tool trap butt plate. CONDITION: Very fine. Barrel retains nearly all of its original factory blue with some light freckling. Receiver exhibits a characteristic silvery patina. Mounts have drifted to a pleasing brown patina. Stocks are fine, retaining the vast majority of their original finish with some scattered impressions and abrasions. Very fine bright bore displaying sharp rifling throughout. Mechanically fine. This very nice example of a scarcely encountered '86 musket would make an excellent addition to any Winchester collection.
Caliber/Bore
.45-70 Government
Paperwork
Copy of Factory Letter