The Winchester Model 1886 was a rugged rifle designed by John Browning that offered very similar firepower to the earlier Model 1876, but in a smaller, more robust package. Thus, just as its predecessor, the Model 1886 quickly found popularity among those on the frontier who needed as rifle as rugged as their lifestyle. The included factory letter for this carbine states it was received in the warehouse on March 22, 1905, and shipped on March 23 in .40-65 caliber with rifle butt and Lyman front sight. According to John T. Madl in his Summer 2018 article in "The Winchester Collector", only one Model 1886 carbine manufactured in .40-65 WCF was listed in the available factory records. This is certainly a very rare Model 1886! The barrel has the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "40-65/WCF" at the breech. The three line model/trade mark information is stamped on the upper tang, and the lower tang has the patent dates marking and serial number. Fitted with a pinned blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, and saddle ring mounted on the left side of the receiver. Mounted on a carbine forearm and stock with a crescent buttplate. Provenance: The Collection of David L. DeLullo

Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and receiver showing evidence of having been cleaned. 40% of original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The wood is also fine with a slight chip at the upper tang and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A Winchester Model 1886 saddle ring carbine in extremely scarce .40-65 WCF missing from even the most advanced collections.