GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1886 BIG 50 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.WINCHESTER18868808150-100-450Cal. 50-100-450. Standard grade rifle with 26" oct bbl, full magazine, silver-bead sporting front sight and platinum line 3-leaf Express rear sight. Receiver is color case hardened and has close-coupled, double-set triggers. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate. This rifle was produced in about 1894 long after the major buffalo herds had ceased to exist. These big 50 rifles were sought after as hunting arms, especially in the north woods, the Rocky Mountain region, Canada & Alaska for North America's big game, up to and including the great bears of Alaska & the Arctic. They were also favored by hunters for African big game. This rifle is somewhat unusual with its crescent buttplate. Most of the big 50 rifles were fitted with shotgun butts because of the massive recoil. Shooting a big 50 with crescent buttplate has been related to a religious experience, frequently compelling the shooter to take the Lord's name in vain. This rifle is a recent "attic find". CONDITION: About fine. This rifle was virtually a new gun when it went into storage. Currently it shows about 99% of its orig factory blue on the bbl & magazine tube with areas of fine blood pitting about mid-point. Receiver retains brilliant case colors on the sides, lightly faded on the top edge and heavily faded on the bottom with 1 of the "2nd lacquer lines" still visible. Receiver also has a few spots of pitting. Hammer retains about 95% bright case colors and the lever about 40% bright case colors with the balance turned brown. Buttplate shows about 70-75% bright case colors with a spot of rust on the heel. Stock has a couple of tiny hairline grain checks, otherwise wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains about 98% orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. May be completely unfired having heavy factory type grease inside the receiver and shows no evidence on the loading gate of ever having been loaded. 52621-1 JRL (12,500-17,500)