This is an example of a Winchester Model 1886 Takedown rifle that was manufactured in 1902 and chambered for the Winchester .50 Express cartridge. The rifle has a full octagon barrel and full length magazine. The barrel has a dovetail mounted Winchester Express front sight with gold bead and the scarce, short leaf, Winchester Express rear sight with folding leafs marked "50", "1" and "2". Each leaf has a platinum sight line. A Lyman folding combination rear sight with locking button of the left side is mounted on the receiver tang. The stock and forearm are highly figured, fancy grain, walnut with a piano finish and custom checkered panels with double line borders. The stock has a custom, ebony, pistol grip cap and shotgun butt with black, checkered, hard rubber buttplate with the round Winchester logo in the center. The length of pull is approximately 15 inches, which is very long. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap and receiver are blued and the hammer and lever are color casehardened. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "MANUFACTURED BY THE/ WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A." ahead of the rear sight.. The caliber designation "50EX." is stamped on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The lower tang is stamped with the 1884 and 1885 patent dates behind the trigger and the serial number "127380" ahead of the rear tang screw.

Very fine as period custom stocked. The rifle has at least 85% of the original Winchester blue finish. The barrel has wear on the edges, and the magazine has the usual takedown scuff marks. The receiver has edge wear, a few minor scratches and handling marks, and a one inch spot of shallow pitting and finish discoloration on the bottom of the receiver and adjacent portion of the takedown collar. The upper left side of the receiver has some finish loss on the top edge near the hammer. The bolt has nearly all of the blue finish intact. The fire blue finish on the loading gate has faded to a blue gray patina. The case colors on the hammer and lever are strong. The stock and forearm are in very good condition. The well executed custom checkering has some minor handling wear. The stock has a small chip on the left side of the junction of the upper tang. The stock finish is dull with light handling wear. This is an attractive example of a period customized Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Takedown .50 Express rifle.