GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
SCARCE SPECIAL ORDER DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER. WINCHESTER 1886 99579 45-90 ESA Cal. 45-90. Fine deluxe '86 with 26" oct to rnd bbl, 2/3 magazine, Lyman ivory bead hunting front sight & a replacement semi-buckhorn rear sight that has fine pitting. Receiver is color case hardened. Mounted with very highly figured, center crotch, flame grain American walnut with H-style checkered forearm & black insert serpentine grip buttstock that has Winchester embossed hard rubber buttplate. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly no. "565", "XXX". Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in caliber 45-90 with 1/2 oct bbl, 1/2 magazine, 5 cartridges, plain trigger and checkered pistol grip stock with shotgun butt, rubber butt, received in the warehouse April 24, 1895 and shipped the same day to order no. 10735. The Model 1886, especially in this caliber was extremely popular in the North woods of America, the Rocky Mountains, Canada & Alaska. It was capable of taking the largest wild game, including moose, elk, grizzly bears & brown bears. Very often these rifles were hard used and rarely show orig finish. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain 97-98% strong orig blue with only sharp edge wear and a couple small nicks. Receiver retains about 30-40% smoky case colors, stronger back of loading gate with the balance turned silver. Hammer retains faded case colors, turned silver on the spur. Lever & forend cap retain traces of case colors. Bottom tang shows bright case colors. Wood has light handling & storage, nicks & scratches with a gouge on the comb and overall retains most of the orig varnish on the buttstock and about 80% on the forearm showing wear at the carry point. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 52601-1 JRL (12,500-17,500)