This is an exceptional example of a Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Express Sporting Rifle with Cody Firearms Museum letter that states this rifle was shipped from the Winchester Warehouse on December 27, 1895. The letter describes the rifle features as caliber .50/110 with 1/2 octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered stock, pistol grip, Lyman front and rear sights, 1/2 magazine and shotgun butt. The rifle has a blue barrel, bolt and loading gate. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer, loading lever and steel shotgun buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The highly figured, fancy grain walnut stock and forearm have a highly polished finish. The forearm and pistol grip have the popular Winchester "Style H" checkering. The bottom of the pistol grip has a hard rubber cap embossed with "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO." The half-round barrel has a dovetail mounted Lyman "Winchester Express" front sight with white bead and a rare short range "Winchester Express" rear sight with platinum sighting line and three folding leaves graduated for 50, 100 and 200 yards. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "-MANUFACTURED BY THE-/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A.-" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber "50 EX" is roll-stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped "-MODEl 1886-". The lower tang is stamped with the "1884" and "1885" patent dates behind the trigger. The serial number "107020" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang behind the rear tang screw. Comes with three full boxes of vintage .50 Express cartridges (60 rounds total). Two of the three boxes carry the "Cartridges for Model 1886" label.

Excellent. The rifle is exceptional and retains 97% of the original blue and 95% plus casehardened finish. The barrel, bolt and loading gate retain nearly all of the blue finish. The case colors on the forearm cap have silvered slightly. The top and sides of the receiver and upper tang have vivid case colors. The case colors on the underside of the receiver and lever show handling wear and have faded to a silver patina. The hammer and sides of the lever show strong case colors. The buttplate has a mottled brown finish with some pitting at the heel. The fancy grain stock and forearm are excellent; nearly all of the original high polish finish is intact and the checkered panels are sharp. The stock and forearm have only a few very minor storage and handling marks. The markings on the barrel and frame are sharp. This is an outstanding example of a scarce and very desirable Special Order Model 1886 Deluxe Express Sporting Rifle. Correction: this lot includes "60 rounds" of ammunition