The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .40-82 caliber, plain trigger, plain pistol grip stock and half magazine when received in the warehouse on April 16, 1889 and shipped on April 18. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail Lyman beaded blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight and a Lyman folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and the caliber designation "40-82 W.C.F." at the breech. The lower tang is marked with the serial number and two-line patent dates marking. The button magazine and standard straight grain walnut pistol grip stock are special order features. According to Winchester author George Madis, these special order features make for "a scarce and unusual combination" (see "The Winchester Book" on page 314). The forend cap, receiver, hammer, lever and solid crescent buttplate are casehardened, the loading gate is niter blue, and the barrel and bolt are blued. The buttstock features an ebony insert on the grip. The left side of the lower tang is stamped "965 CF." The "CF" is likely for "custom fit." The assembly number "965" is repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate.

Excellent. The barrel retains 90% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 97% original blue remains on the bolt. 85% original niter blue remains on the loading gate. 85% plus vivid original case colors remain on the receiver, 75% original case colors remain on the forend cap, hammer and lever, and traces of original case colors remain on the buttplate. The wood is exceptionally fine with minor dings and scratches and retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive special order Model 1886 rifle worthy of any Winchester lever action collection.