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Highly Desirable Antique Document ed Deluxe Winchester 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .50-100-450
LOT 1018
Exceptional Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Highly Desirable .50-100-450 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 91109, 50-100-450 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter states that this Winchester deluxe Model 1886 was received in the warehouse on December 2, 1895 and shipped the same day with an octagon barrel in highly desirable .50-100 caliber, plain trigger (currently factory installed replacement tang with double set trigger) and checkered pistol grip stock. The rifle was returned to the factory for repair on November 14, 1907 and on October 30, 1909. The double set trigger was definitely installed during one of these return dates as the serial number style is a block style of the period. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail beaded blade
front sight, three leaf rear sight and folding tang peep sight. The frame has
the highly desirable casehardened finish. The two-line patent dates and serial number are marked on the lower tang. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are select deluxe walnut. The sides of the receiver tangs are blank. The assembly number “868” is marked on the stock inlet, butt of the stock under the buttplate, and buttplate. The buttstock features a hard rubber factory grip cap and a solid crescent buttplate. As the most powerful big bore Model 1886, the .50-100-450 Express has held a special place in the hearts of Winchester collectors and have remained a highly sought after dangerous game rifle in any condition. Per research by Jim Paul and Tom Adams, only 331 Model 1886s were manufactured in .50-100-450. Without a doubt there are hardly enough surviving Winchester “Big Fifty” Model 1886s to meet collector demand.
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