Released in 1893-1894, the .50-100-450 Express cartridge was one of the most powerful commercial cartridges available at the time, and it quickly proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Winchester rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. Demand for the cartridge in the United States was low however, and relatively few of these rifles were manufactured. The Model 1886 in .50 Express was only produced in limited numbers, especially when compared to the smaller calibers. Per Jim Paul and Tom Adams, only 331 Model 1886s left the Winchester factory chambered in .50-100-450 from 1894 to 1913 (See the article "Winchester Model 1886 Caliber 50-100-450). Today Winchesters in .50 Express are a highly sought after collectible. Examples in any condition are proving difficult to find. This example was manufactured in 1895. The factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on October 2, 1895, and shipped on October 4 with a round barrel in .50-100 caliber, set trigger, and Lyman rear and hunting front sights. The rifle is fitted with a white beaded front sight (Lyman hunting front sight), a filler block in the rear sight dovetail, and unmarked Lyman receiver peep sight. The sight configuration is a special order feature. The top of the barrel has the two-line Winchester address and the caliber designation "50-100-450." The casehardened receiver is fitted with special order "close coupled" set trigger. Winchester introduced double set triggers in 1895, the same year this rifle was shipped. Out of the 331 Model 1886s chambered in .50-100-450, only 15 had set triggers (see aforementioned article). The upper tang is marked "-MODEL 1886-", and the lower tang has the serial number and the two-line patent dates marking. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.

Very good. The barrel and magazine tube retain 40% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The bolt retains 80% original blue finish. Traces of original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver, hammer, and lever retain 30% original case colors. The top of tang has a visible plug which is in place of the obliterated "1" in "MODEL 1886" factory marking. There is some pitting on the mostly silvered out buttplate. The refinished buttstock is a replacement, otherwise the wood is also very good with draw file marks visible on both sides at frame juncture. Mechanically excellent. A highly desirable special order antique Winchester Model 1886 lever action rifle in very scarce .50-100-450 caliber.