Lot 3100: Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Rifle

The factory letter lists this rifle as having its serial number applied on December 16, 1887. It is listed as a rifle in .40/82 with a 1/2 octagon barrel, plain trigger, and a checkered pistol grip stock and as received in the warehouse on March 22, 1888, and shipped the next day in order 6003. It has the early casehardened receiver, which was only standard until 1902. The standard two-line address is marked in front of the rear sight, and "40-82 W.C.F. is at the breech on the top barrel flat. The model designation is on the upper tang, and the two-line patent dates and serial number are on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked "1355 XX," and the stock inlet and inside the buttplate are marked "125". The special order, part octagon barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. It is mounted with a finely figured, replacement, "H" pattern checkered forearm and replacement, checkered, pistol grip stock with an ebony insert at the base of the grip and a crescent buttplate. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish and 50% original case colors with the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey or silvery grey patina and some patches of light spotting on the receiver. The replacement wood is fine with a few hairline cracks around the wrist, some filler near the grip insert, and otherwise scattered minor handling marks and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.