This is a fine example of a special order Winchester Model 1886 lever action rifle with special order features in the desirable "45-90" cartridge. It is accompanied by a Winchester factory letter dated Sept. 1970 that lists this rifle as having been shipped in June 1889 and verifies the three special order features are as follows: 1) 1/2 octagon barrel, 2) half length tubular magazine, 3) plain pistol grip stock, and it also noted it as having a plain trigger. It is fitted with the standard length 26 inch barrel. The Winchester commercial blued metal finish is on the barrel and breech bolt, and a nitre blued finish is on the loading gate. The receiver, hammer, loading lever, lower tang, forend cap and buttplate have the very desirable early Winchester color casehardened finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "- MANUFACTURED BY THE-/- WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. -" ahead of the rear sight. The caliber "45-90 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel directly in front of the receiver. The barrel is fitted with an early Lyman front sight with a white bead and the standard, sporting buckhorn style, elevation adjustable rear sight with the fine elevation adjustable insert with the serrated edges. This small insert is held in place via a small set screw. The upper tang is marked: "MODEL 1886", and it is factory drilled and tapped for a tang sight. The 1884 and 1885 patent dates are roll-stamped behind the trigger, and the serial number "30433" is stamped in script numerals ahead of the rear tang screw. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with varnish finish. The stock has a crescent steel buttplate.

Fine with 85% of the original blue finish on the barrel and 60% of the original color case hardened finish on the various other parts as noted above. These parts now show light fading and browning in some areas and appear to have an old varnish applied over the case colors to protect them which has aged and yellowed over time giving the case colors a gold hue. The forend and buttstock have been sanded and refinished. The wood to metal fit is still tight. Mechanically excellent. A very presentable early Winchester model 1886 lever action rifle with three factory documented special order features.