This is an exceptional example of a special order Winchester Model 1886 Fancy Sporting Rifle that was manufactured in 1894. This rifle is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter that lists the features as: "Rifle, 40/65 caliber, Barrel shape: Octagon, Set Trigger, Checkered stock with pistol grip" and "Sights: Lyman rear and Lyman Combination front sights". The letter states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on July 16, 1894. The rifle has a full octagon barrel with full length magazine. The barrel has a standard sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a buckhorn style sporting rear sight with serrated edges and adjustable center piece. The sights appear original to the rifle and there is no indication that the rifle was fitted with the Lyman combination front sight or tang sight listed in the Cody letter. The rifle has a special order factory single set trigger. The barrel, magazine, bolt and loading gate are blued and the forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, deluxe, fancy grade walnut with a high polish piano finish. The forearm and pistol grip have Winchester "Style H" checkering. The bottom of the pistol grip is inlaid with an ebony insert. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE-/- WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-" in two-lines ahead of the rear sight. "40-65 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "-MODEL 1866-" and the lower tang is marked with the 1884 and 1885 patent dates in two-lines behind the trigger. The serial number, "89431" is stamped on the lower tang between the rear tang screws.

Excellent. The barrel and magazine have nearly 97% plus of the blue finish. The markings are perfect. Almost all of the blue finish is present on the bolt and loading gate. The forearm cap, lever and hammer have vivid case colors. The case colors on the bottom of the receiver have faded slightly but the balance of the case colors are bright. The case colors on the sides and bottom of the lever have darkened slightly from handling but remain at least 95% intact. The case colors on the buttplate have faded and the buttplate has a few small spots of age discoloration. The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are both in excellent condition and retain nearly all of the high polish piano finish. The checkered panels remain sharp. Wear is limited to a few very insignificant handling marks on the left side of the forearm near the junction with the receiver and on the left side of the stock. This is a magnificent example of a special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle.