The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with a round barrel in .40-82 caliber, plain trigger, and factory engraved "Arapahoe County" (left side of the receiver) when received in the warehouse on July 16, 1894 and shipped along with 49 other rifles with the same specifications on July 14. Warehouse and shipment dates are likely reversed. Includes a serial number list of 52 Arapahoe County marked 1886s. This rifle is listed. This list was provided by the Colorado State Archives along with a letter stating that Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office paid $743.15 for the M1886s in September 1894, an additional $19.30 was paid to Winchester in November 1894 and the total number of guns delivered to the sheriff's office remained undetermined. The included letter from the Arapahoe Country Sheriff's Department provides the historical context behind the firearms purchase. In the early 1890s Colorado faced political upheaval that ultimately led to the Denver’s City Hall War which took place in March 1894. This clash between the governor and Denver's city government originated in a series of scandals involving the Denver police department. Governor Davis Waite was convinced that the police board was not doing enough to combat crime and gambling. The state legislature passed a law giving the governor the power to remove and appoint local police and fire board members, and Waite quickly acted on his new given powers. He demanded the resignation of both the police and fire board members. The board members refused, and County Sheriff Burchinell appointed 500 special deputies, ordered additional firearms and ammunition, barricaded City Hall and defied the governor's threats to seize the building. After 10 days, Governor Waite ordered the Colorado National Guard to reclaim City Hall and even requested federal troops to join in the siege. National Guardsman armed with cannons and Firemen standing outside the building was a sight for concern among residents who were able to convince Waite to stand down and refer the matter to the Colorado Supreme Court. While the Court ruled in favor of the Governor for having the authority to remove city board members, the justices reprimanded Waite for escalating the matter, specifically when he requested federal troops at Fort Logan to join the National Guardsman. Later, that year, Waite lost his re-election bid. This rifle was undoubtedly purchased because of the local and state clash in Arapahoe County. It has a dovetail blade front sight, elevation adjustable rear sight, standard Winchester markings, straight grain walnut forearm and straight grip stock and solid crescent buttplate.

Extremely fine. 85% plus original blue finish remains on the barrel and magazine tube. 97% original blue remains on the bolt. 90% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 80% plus original case colors remain on the hammer, receiver, lever and forend cap, and patterns of original case colors remain on the buttplate. The wood is also very fine with a hairline stress crack visible at the center of buttplate with arrow shaped period non-factory decoration incised left side, minor dings and scratches on balance. Mechanically excellent. A great piece of history from one of the most unusual state episodes of the late 19th century.