Offered here is a first day production Winchester Model 1886 Rifle, serial number 8. The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .45-70 caliber and plain trigger when received in the warehouse on August 30, 1886, and shipped the next day. This single digit serialized Model 1886 features a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight on a barrel marked with the two-line Winchester New Haven address ahead of the rear sight and "CAL. 45-70" at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1886", and the lower tang is marked with serial number "8" and the two-line patent dates (1884 and 1885) marking. Mounted on a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate. This is definitely one of the earliest Model 1886s we have cataloged, second to only serial number 1 which was presented to Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Captain Henry W. Lawton, noted capturer of Chiricahua Apache leader Geronimo. This Model 1886 was once part of the famed Harold Argile McCallum collection (1911-2003). Along with his wife, Vernetta, McCallum ran a hardware store in Monroe, Oregon, from 1949 to 1974 which had gone by the name McCallum’s Gun Store and Museum since the late 1950s. His collection had over 650 guns and included impressive Winchesters such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower presentation Model 1894 serial number 2,500,000, factory embellished Model 70 serial number 500,000 and the very first Grand American Model 21 to leave the Winchester Custom Shop. Perhaps most famous was his serial number 8 collection that was comprised of three serial number 8 Winchesters: the Model 1894 listed in the next lot, this Model 1886 and a Model 490. He was a charter member of the Winchester Arms Collector’s Association with the fitting membership number “8.”

Very good plus as one of the lowest serialized Model 1886s we have cataloged (we previously sold serial number 1). Traces of original blue and silvered out case colors remain in the protected areas, otherwise a smooth gray patina. The wood is also very good with chipping at the upper tang and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss your chance to acquire a single digit serialized Model 1886. Single digit serialized rifles are missing from even the most advanced Winchester collections. A must have for the serious Winchester collector.