December 17, 2026 The Estate Of Whitefoord Cole II: Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Lot #1190:
(A) WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION .50-110 EXPRESS RIFLE.
According to the included factory letter, this rifle shipped August 18, 1894 as a rifle in .50-110 with round barrel, plain triggers, and shotgun butt. Never very popular in the States at the time of its manufacture, these hard hitting .50 Express caliber rifles were better suited for Colonial jungles and safari. This rifle is among those that went abroad and was updated in the English taste. The round barrel is fitted with a full length matted sighting rib with a later dovetailed front sight and 2 flip-up express sight leaves marked for "100" and "200". The 100 yard leaf is platinum lined, the inlay no longer present on the 200. Barrel, receiver, and bolt have London proofs for "500 EX". Walnut forend and stock with steel widow's peak shotgun butt plate. Inside of the lower tang has "115" assembly number and "S" shotgun butt notation, the corresponding "115" is stamped in the stock channel. Rifle is accompanied by a full 20-round box of 385gr Connecticut Cartridge Co. .50-110 WCF ammunition. CONDITION: Good. Rifle displays an overall mottled gray patina, with some scattered older oxidation spots. Bolt and forend cap retain significant portions of their present blue. Stocks show some heavy handling including impression, abrasion, chips, and spots of filler but are otherwise good as lightly cleaned. Mechanics are a little clunky but cycle appropriately. An always desirable .50-110 Express with great period express rifle upgrades.