This is an example of a highly featured Winchester M1886 Extra Light Rifle with factory letter. The letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on July 25, 1903. The factory letter identifies the rifle as a extra light, takedown M1886 with the following (numerous) features: (1) 22-inch/half-octagon barrel, (2) plain trigger, (3) oil-finished, checkered, stock with pistol grip, (4) half-magazine, (5) shotgun butt, (6) Lyman rear sight and (7) Combination front sight. The stock and forearm are highly figured, extra finish, walnut specified for all rifles with checkered stocks. The barrel, magazine tube and fore end cap have a high polish factory blue finish. The lever, hammer and loading port have a case-hardened finish. The barrel is fitted with a Lyman "Hunting Front" sight with ivory bead and a sporting rear sight with sliding insert. The Lyman folding combination tang peep sight is marked: "Pat. Jan. 29/79, May 6/84". The top barrel flat is marked: "MANUFACTURED BY THE/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A." in two lines in ahead of the rear sight. "NICKEL STEEL" is stamped on the left barrel flat below the rear sight and the caliber "45-70" is located on the top of the barrel immediately behind the rear sight. The two-line patent markings: "PAT.OCT.14.1884/JAN. 20. 1885" are located on the lower receiver tang behind the trigger and are followed by the serial number "127789". The pistol grip has a black, hard rubber, cap embossed: "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.". The black, hard rubber butt plate is checkered with the Winchester logo in a circle in the center. An engraved, oval, gold monogram "ESG" is inlaid in the underside of the stock below the pistol grip.