October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Manufactured January 23rd 1914. Winchester Model 1886 rifle, caliber .45-90, with 26 inch round barrel and full magazine. Varnished American walnut stocks with smooth steel shotgun buttplate. Equipped with gold bead drift adjustable front sight and 3-leaf express rear sight. Traditional two line Winchester address and chamber marked "45-90 SMOOTH BORE". Mounted with double set triggers. Comes with early June 21st 1968 Winchester Gun Museum factory letter by curator T.E. Hall as well as contemporary 2011 dated Winchester letter stating as follows: Serial number 151238, Rifle, 45-90, Winchester Express rear, Lyman Gold bead front, received in warehouse and shipped Jan, 23rd 1914, Smooth Bore to Abercrombie and Fitch Company New York City. This was either made for an Ornithologist and perhaps a trick shooter for shooting glass balls. Smooth bore Winchester lever action rifles are extremely uncommon and when found they are typically in the model 1892, Finding a documented Winchester 1886 Smooth Bore is truly a great rarity. CONDITION: Very fine overall with barrel and magazine retaining well over 90% factory blue finish. Receiver retains approximately 30% blue with balance fading to silver from carry and light use. Wood stocks are very good, full sized and have a heavy coat of wax over thinning varnish finish. Smooth steel buttplate is rather plumb with age. Bore is bright and action operates properly. Comes with copies of both Winchester letters. TDW
Caliber/Bore
.45-90 Smoothbore
Paperwork
Letters from Cody and Winchester Gun Museum