February 24-26th 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2017
Manufactured in 1910. We have the privilege of offering of what may be the rarest of all standard manufactured Winchester lever action rifles. This rifle comes with a four page hand written letter from Mr. George Madis, author of numerous books on Winchesters. Madis writes, "I have carefully examined this fine rifle inside and out, and have determined it is all original as made by Winchester. According to remaining records, this rifle was made in 1910. While warehouse records are available for some of the Model 1886, no records were preserved for your gun. Under the stock, on the lower side of the upper tang is the marking C in a circle; this indicates the receiver was made of crucible nickel steel...nickel steel was used for most intrical parts of the 1886. At the front of the stock, under the receiver is the marking 1 in a triangle; this was Winchester general inspection mark indicated approval of fit and finish. On the stock under lower tang is an X, the mark of the craftsman who did the finish stock work. Inside of the buttplate is C3152 which is the number of the forging dye. Address markings are correct and found on left side of barrel flat, correct for this serial range. The "50-EX." is also original and correct on left side...The Winchester Express front sight was provided marked, "Pat. May 4. 1902." Rear sight is a style designated the Winchester Express graduated 50, 1 and 2. Both sights are correct and original. Upper tang are drilled and tapped for tang sight on this model. Upper tang markings are correct and original. 50 caliber 1886 Models are one of the rarer calibers, in addition, this barrel is an original smooth bore. Close examination of the bore shows that it measures .497 at the smallest diameter. This indicates an original smooth bore, since barrels, which would have been rifled would measure substantially larger in the bore diameter if rifling was removed...Most important, is the fact that the polishing marks inside the bore run length wise of the barrel indicating lapping of the bore for polishing. Polishing marks on standard rifle barrels do not run length wise...Smooth bore Winchesters are among the rarest of all Collector's Arms. A 26" octagon barrel was furnished on this barrel and has a full magazine. On high numbers such as this we see a few guns which have magazine retaining bands without retaining pin. Retaining bands such as yours were originally made to use on takedown rifles...crescent buttplate was provided for this rifle. "Extra finish" ?, of fancier than standard grain, is seen on this rifle and a factory varnished finish was applied. In this serial range, receiver, buttplate, forend tip and most other steel parts were blued. Winchester's high quality was the preferred blued finish for all models...This one of the rarest of all Winchesters and with its condition, age and rarity, it would be a star in any collection or museum." In addition, letter dated May 27, 2008 from noted dealer Ron Peterson of New Mexico, provides letter as follows, "The guns of Jno W. Garrett that I purchased from family were; 1. Colt Single Action .44-40 Factory smooth bore. 2. Winchester Model 92 .44-40 round barrel marked smooth bore. I also received a picture of Mr. Garrett shooting off the back of a truck during a parade and pictures of his Winchester store around the 1920's. When I picked up the above guns from the family they told me that a brother had another smooth bore rifle. This is the rifle you have, which is a Winchester Model 86 50 Ex smooth bore round barrel blued receiver." We have the two photographs Ron referenced, one is dated 1918 and has beautiful Winchester store display in Colorado Springs that says Jno. W. Garrett Sporting Goods. The second photo was taken on Carnival Week in Colorado Springs August 27-29, 1912. States "Jno. W. Garrett in the Civic St. parade shooting flying clay targets with a Model 1886 Winchester rifle." He is pictured on a wagon with a big advertising banner for his sporting goods shop shooting what appears to be this exact rifle, an all blued, 1886 full magazine, octagon rifle. Due to safety, in this crowd, he was not using rifle bullets. Now to condition; this rifle retains a minimum of 97% original Winchester factory blue finish throughout. The legends and edges are razor sharp with light muzzle wear, some very minor high edge wear. There is some minor age freckling at upper left side of frame. Little thinness of blue in loading gate. Near perfect blue at base of receiver and on bolt. Strong case colors with varnish on sides of lever, traces on hammer, even the butt plate has some remains of case colors. The wood has a few usual impressions but is near mint with no cracks. The luster of blue on frame is similar to the Colt royal blue seen on a Python. The bore and action are near mint to mint. Near mint, all original .50 caliber Model 1886's are amongst the most desirable of all Winchesters. Add to that, the rarity factor of a factory smooth bore which Madis estimated at a fewer than six total, and add to that a story history with photographic evidence and you have what arguably is the finest of its example in the hobby.