This is a very nice example of a rare Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 Rifle with signed factory engraving and numerous special order features. The rifle is accompanied by a letter from the Cody Firearms Museum that verifies the rifle configuration, caliber, 1/2 octagon barrel, plain trigger Winchester express sight, checkered pistol grip stock with cheek piece and "Made from maple party selected" and "Engraving $5 on receiver only". The rifle was received in the warehouse on December 3, 1890 and shipped to order number 21464 on December 4, 1890. The sides, top and bottom of the receiver and upper tang are factory engraved by Master Engraver John Ulrich. The engraving features delicate scrollwork and borders with distinctive interlinked rectangular motif (a similar design is on the John Ulrich engraved rifle illustrated on page 152 of "The Book of Winchester Engraving" by R.L. Wilson). The signature "J.ULRICH" is stamped in tiny letters on the lower tang behind the trigger. This rifle is mounted with a rarely encountered fancy grain XX maple stock with Style H checkering on the forearm and grip area, and a carved cheekpiece. In addition to the factory engraving and rare stock wood and configuration, the rifle has the rare combination of half round/half octagon barrel with full length magazine; part round barrels usually were fitted with short magazines. The barrel has a special order Lyman "Hunting" front sight with ivory insert and special order "Winchester Express" rear sight with three folding leaves and platinum sight lines. The top barrel flat is marked "-MANUFACTURED BY THE-/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN.CONN. U.S.A.-" ahead of the rear sight and "45-90 W.C.F." at the breech. "-MODEL 1886-" is marked on the upper receiver tang bordered by an engraved single line. In addition to the "J. ULRICH" signature, the bottom of the lower tang is stamped with the 1884 and 1885 patent dates behind the trigger and the script serial number "50121" ahead of the tang screw. The left side of the lower tang is stamped with the assembly number "333" followed by "XX" and "CM". "333" is also stamped in the upper tang inlet of the stock. All Winchester Model 1886 rifles with special order features are highly desirable. This rifle has several very rare features including signed factory engraving, maple stock and forearm with carved cheekpiece, half-round barrel and full length magazine.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine have 95% of the original blue finish with some thinning on the bottom of the magazine near the forearm. The bolt has nearly all of the original blue finish remaining while the loading gate has faded to a blue-gray patina. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate retain 75% of the period refinished casehardened finish. The case colors are slightly faded and the high points on the receiver, upper tang, lever and buttplate show traces of silver patina. There is some very fine and nearly undetectable handling pitting on contact points on the receiver, upper tang and lever. The delicate and flawlessly executed engraving is sharp. The stock and forearm are very good with light handling wear and finish loss on contact points. The diamonds on the checkered panels are slightly flattened and both the stock and forearm have some scattered and very minor handling marks. This is an outstanding fully documented Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 rifle with J. Ulrich signed factory engraving and an unusual number of rare and significant special order features including a maple stock.