Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1025

Lot 1025:Winchester 1886 Gold-Inlaid Exhibition

September 9th, 2017|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1025

Lot 1025:Winchester 1886 Gold-Inlaid Exhibition

September 9th, 2017|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$150,000 - $225,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Excellent, Rare and Important Factory Engraved and Gold-Inlaid Exhibition Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Takedown Lever Action Short Rifle with Factory Letter

This rifle was shipped to "W.R.A. Company of New York, Inc." on December 1, 1915, in order number 749638 for display or exhibition; it was received in the warehouse the same day and was returned to the Winchester factory for repair on April 29, 1917, in order 100469 for factory exhibition embellishment and later presentation. Note the presentation gilt escutcheon engraved with the monogram "MCH" on the underside of the stock. The factory letter confirms the rifle's takedown configuration, the 22 inch long, extra light, nickel steel barrel; caliber, full magazine, checkered pistol grip stock, hard rubber shotgun buttplate, and oil finish and lists "Winchester High Velocity." This gun is pictured on page 155 of "Steel Canvas" by Wilson. The left side of the lower tang is marked "224" and "972." The right side of the lower tang is marked "782." The buttstock tang slot has been factory renumbered "782." An assembly number was always assigned by the factory. The tang and buttstock were renumbered during the factory rework. It has a takedown configuration with a 22 inch short rifle barrel chambered in desirable .45-70 caliber and featuring a beaded dovetailed Marble Sheard front sight and a two leaf rear sight (one folding marked "200 YDS", one fixed marked "100 YDS"). The left side of the barrel is marked with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "45-70" at the breech. The Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The takedown release has the 1893 patent marking. The lower tang has the two-line patent date marking and serial number, and the upper tang has the three-line model/trademark information. The receiver features engraved scrollwork, gold inlaid game scenes and engraved and gold inlaid borders. These scenes are found in Winchester's "Highly Finished Arms." The left side of the receiver has two deer in a woodland scene, and the right side has a moose in a woodland scene. Among the scrollwork on the left side of the receiver is an engraved entwining diamond pattern. The gold inlaid borders and scrollwork extend to the barrel at the breech and muzzle, forend cap, hammer, bolt and lever. The highly figured forearm and pistol grip stock are finished in the factory D pattern featuring fine checkering accented with a carved oak leaf and acorn motif. The pistol grip has a hard rubber cap, and the buttstock is fitted with a hard rubber factory buttplate. Provenance: Carl Press Collection, The Collection of Robert M. Lee

ConditionExceptionally fine. The rifle retains 95% of the factory blue/gold inlaid finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The underside of the barrel has a filled dovetail slot for the attaching hardware meant for a full length magazine. The exceptionally fine wood shows some scattered minor handling marks and a series of shallow gouges in the overall crisp checkering. There is a missing minor chip on the buttplate near the toe. Mechanically excellent. Factory gold inlaid Winchesters rank amongst the most important, rare and seldom encountered of all 19th century American fine arms. Carpe diem!
Details
ManufacturerWinchester
Model1886
TypeRifle
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Long Gun
Caliber / Gauge45-70
Barrel22 inch round
Finishblue
Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views7566
Catalog page30
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3008Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Takedown Lever Action
View Lot
Lot 3045Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Rifle
View Lot
Lot 22Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .45-90 W.C.F.
View Lot
Lot 62Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Rifle in .50 Express
View Lot
Show More