This Model 1886 is the consecutively serialized companion to the previous lot and make for a remarkable pair of factory built exhibition quality guns. Showcased here is no. 116729, and its mate (no. 116728) is featured in the previous lot. Both rifles feature identical factory embellishments, several sought after and rare special order features, and nearly identical shipping records. As verified in the respective factory letters these two rifles were received in the warehouse on April 25, 1898, shipped on April 27, 1898, on order number 6312, and returned to the factory on April 24, 1899, for repair. These two rifles were built to fulfill a grand special order, and certainly make for a standout pair of Winchester Model 1886s. The factory letter goes on to list the features of no. 116729: 26 inch half octagon barrel in .45-70 caliber, extra light configuration, plain trigger, fancy pistol grip stock, Lyman front and rear sights, Winchester Express rear sight, half magazine, Silvers recoil pad, factory style no. 9 engraving with vignettes 1 and 3 at an additional cost of $4.00, nickel steel and matted barrel, length of stock 13 ¾ inches, drop at heel 3 1/8 inches, and style “E” stock carving. This is a very impressive list of special order features. The Winchester style no. 9 engraving covers both sides of the receiver with scrollwork and borders. The vignette on the left side is a grizzly bear scene, and the vignette on the right side is an elk scene. The quality of the work is consistent with engravings performed by the Ulrich family. Light scrollwork and borders extend to the forend cap, top and bottom of the receiver, and upper tang. Factory matted Winchester barrels are rare. According to noted Winchester expert and author George Madis, "Matted barrels were produced in very limited numbers. Early matting was applied by hand in some cases." The matting on this Model 1886 is the later style wavy lines and cover the entire top portion of the barrel. To accommodate the matting the barrel markings are stamped on the upper left flat. These markings are the two-line New Haven address and “45-70.” “N.S.” is stamped in small font on the right barrel flat at the breech. The .45-70 Government was a popular cartridge, and John Moses Browning’s designed Model 1886 was the first Winchester repeater capable of chambering the .45-70. The lower tang carries the two-line patent dates marking and the serial number. The rifle is fitted with a beaded blade front sight, a folding two leaf rear sight, and a folding tang peep sight. Sling eyelets are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and stock. The highly figured forearm and pistol grip stock feature Winchester style “E” checkering. In the Winchester “Highly Finished Arms” catalog this style of checkering was an additional $12.50. The buttstock also has a hard rubber Winchester grip cap and is fitted with a solid recoil pad. The left side of the lower tang is stamped “674 XX.” The assembly number “674” is repeated on the stock inlet, and is consecutive to the assembly number of the previous lot. As confirmed by the factory letter, the stock was made to specific length and drop. Again we turn to Madis for insight on the rarity of this feature: “Special stocks, varying from the standard in length or drop, would be custom made and fitted by the factory for the few customers who wanted them. The standard stock was made to fit and be correct in all ways for the majority of people, and very few customers found it necessary to order a special stock” (page 602).

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 80% factory refinished blue with thinning to brown on the balance. 95% original blue finish remains on the bolt. 70% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The frame retains 40% plus original case colors with the strongest colors in the protected areas. The hammer and lever retains 30% original case colors. Patterns of original case colors remain on the forend cap. The engraving is crisp. The wood is very fine minor with dings and scratches and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is a solid representative example of a factory highly embellished factory engraved Winchester deluxe Model 1886 extra lightweight rifle made extra special by being consecutively serialized to the previous lot.