Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Express Rifle with Cody Firearms Museum factory letter that states this rifle was shipped as a .50 Express, Deluxe Lever Action Rifle from the Winchester warehouse on November 3, 1891. The factory letter describes the rifle as caliber 50/110 with octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered stock, pistol grip and shotgun butt. The full octagon barrel, full-length magazine, bolt and loading gate have a blue finish. The forearm cap, frame, hammer and loading lever are color case-hardened. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, fancy grain, walnut with Style "H" checkering and varnish finish. The stock has a steel shotgun buttplate and ebony inlay on the pistol grip. The rifle barrel has a Lyman folding combination front sight with ivory bead and a Winchester Express rear sight with folding leaves graduated for 50, 100 and 200 yards. The rifle has the Winchester, adjustable single set-trigger. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE -/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN .CONN. U.S.A.-" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber designation: "50 EX" is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the frame. The upper tang is roll-stamped: "-MODEL 1886-". The Winchester 1884 and 1885 patent dates are roll-stamped on lower tang behind the trigger. The serial number, "63012" is stamped in script numerals behind the rear tang screw.

Excellent. The rifle retains 98% plus of the original blue and 90% color casehardened finish. Virtually all of the original blue finish is present on the barrel, magazine, bolt and loading gate. There is some scattered, light, pitting on the left barrel flat just above the hand guard between the rear sight and the receiver. The case colors on the top and sides of the frame, lever and hammer are vivid. The casehardened finish on the bottom of the frame and lever has partially faded to a silver patina. The period refinished steel buttplate has a smooth, mottled gray, patina remaining with light pitting. The stock and forearm remain in very fine condition with a coat of protective oil applied, sharp checkering and only scattered and very minor handling and storage wear. All of the markings on the barrel and receiver are crisp. The bore is bright. This is an excellent example of a scarce and very desirable Model 1886 Deluxe .50 Express Rifle.