This Winchester Model 1886 is factory documented as a deluxe rifle in rare, highly sought after 50 Express caliber with several special order features including stock configuration and extra heavy barrel. Deluxe Model 1886s are rare. As Winchester expert and author George Madis noted, "Deluxe Model 86s in the rifles made after 1900 are hard to find, partly due to the higher cost of deluxe features." Models fitted with a non-standard stock length and drop like this example are a Winchester rarity. Madis noted, "Special stocks, varying from the standard in length or drop, would be custom made and fitted by the factory for the few customers who wanted them. The standard stock was made to fit and be correct in all ways for the majority of people, and very few customers found it necessary to order a special stock" ("The Winchester Book," page 602). Any non-standard weight barrel is a rare special order feature. This example was ordered with an 11 pound extra heavy barrel with no slots. Sights have since been added. As for the caliber, the .50 Express cartridge was one of the most powerful commercial cartridges available at the time, and it quickly proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Winchester rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. Demand for the cartridge in the United States was low however, and relatively few of these rifles were manufactured. The Model 1886 in .50 Express was only produced in limited numbers, especially when compared to the smaller calibers. Today Winchesters in .50 Express are highly sought after collectible. Examples in any condition are proving difficult to find. These special order features as well as others are confirmed in the accompanying factory letter. The factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on April 14, 1899, and shipped the next day with an extra heavy half octagon barrel in .50 express weighing 11 pounds, no sight slots on the barrel, plain trigger, 13 1/4 inch checkered pistol grip stock with oil finish and 13 1/4 inch drop, half magazine, shotgun butt, and rubber buttplate. This deluxe '86 certainly has a number of special order features sought after by the modern collector. Sights have since been period added to the barrel (unique ramp blade front sight with flip up reflective moon and fixed notch rear sight). The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester New Haven address ahead of the rear sight and "50 EX" at the breech. The lower tang has the patent dates marking and the serial number. The upper tang is marked "-MODEL 1886-." The receiver has the desirable casehardened finish. The XXX deluxe walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature factory "H" style checkering. The pistol grip has an hard rubber Winchester cap. The buttstock is fitted with a hard rubber Winchester shotgun buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "215 XXX." The assembly number "215" is repeated on the stock inlet. Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 rifles chambered for .50 Express cartridges are rare and extremely desirable firearms.

Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 90% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 95% original blue finish remains on the bolt. 75% original niter blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 60% original case colors. The forend cap, hammer, and lever retain 70% original case colors. The wood is excellent with some minor dings and scratches and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare, highly attractive .50 Express Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 rifle with truly unique factory documented special order features that will entice even the most serious Winchester collector.