GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
EXTREMELY RARE ENGRAVED & GOLD INLAID WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION FACTORY EXHIBITION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1886 99580 45-70 IVORY Cal. 45-70. Spectacular '86 with 26" oct to rnd bbl, 2/3 magazine, ivory bead hunting front sight, slot blank in rear seat & Lyman tang sight. Receiver is factory engraved probably by John Ulrich, in a modified #10 style with a large panel on left side inlaid in gold script "Winchester / Repeating Arms Co. / 1895." all surrounded by gold wire inlay. Right side has the vignette of a bugling bull elk. Mounted with 3-4X, extremely beautiful flame & shell grain American walnut with H-style checkered forearm and serpentine grip with black insert and Winchester hard rubber buttplate. Left side of lower tang is marked with assembly number "467", a factory defaced assembly number "1140", "XXS". The "467" assembly number and the defaced assembly number are both found in top tang channel of buttstock. Bottom of buttstock has an inlaid gold initial oval inscribed with the intertwined "WRACO" initials. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in caliber 45-70, half oct bbl, plain trigger, checkered stock with pistol grip, Lyman combination front sight and flat top sporting rear sight, 2/3 magazine, shotgun butt with rubber buttplate, inlaid in gold, $5.00 engraving, blue frame and "WINCHESTER R.A. CO. 1895", received in warehouse May 23, 1895 and shipped same day to Order #11542, repair & return Jan. 6, 1899. It seems most likely that when this rifle was returned in 1899 it was factory refinished and the new assembly numbers stamped on tang & buttstock. Very likely the sights were changed at the same time. This rifle is pictured on p. 227 of The Book of Winchester Engraving, Wilson, and on p. 240 of Winchester Engraving, Wilson. Mr. Wilson notes that "It is likely the rifle was used as a sample or show gun." PROVENANCE: Ex-Ivan B. Hart Collection; Ex-Wes Adams Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Overall retains virtually all of its fine, bright factory restored finish to both metal & wood showing no evidence of use since restoration. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 50412-24 JR42 (40,000-80,000)