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Extremely Rare Documented Special Order Silver Trimmed Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 Rifle with Inscription
Frederick Reed Hoisington
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE WINCHESTER BOOK BY MADIS
LOT 3017
Extraordinary Antique Documented Factory Silver Trimmed Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action .45-90 Rifle with Winchester Gun Museum Letter - Serial no. 94868, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/ silver finish, walnut stock. The accompanying Winchester Gun Museum letter
lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .45-90 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, “silver trims,” and Lyman front and rear sights when shipped on February 9, 1895 (no mention of inscription, possibly a factory record oversight
as writer believes the inscription is factory). The rifle is pictured and identified
in George Madis’“The Winchester Book” on page 332. The inscription on the left side of the receiver reads in large bold font, “Fred R. Hoisington/1895 FROM J.M.F.” The rifle is equipped with a dovetail beaded blade Lyman front sight, elevation adjustable rear sight, and folding tang peep sight. The barrel is stamped with
the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and “45-90 WCF” at the breech on the top flat. The lower tang has the two-line patent dates marking and the serial number. The rifle has the highly sought after factory two-tone finish (blue and silver). The barrel, magazine tube and bolt are blued. The receiver, forend cap and buttplate are plated in silver. The half silver finish is a very rare Winchester special order feature, rarer than full nickel finish. The highly figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered. The buttstock has an ebony grip insert and a solid crescent buttplate. Frederick Reed Hoisington (1868-1951) was born in Ohio and was one of seven children born to a Sri Lankan father and mother from New York.
He was the father of five children and later lived in the State of New York where he died at the age of 82 in 1951.
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel and magazine tube retain 95% original blue finish. There is a small patch of pitting on the magazine tube towards the muzzle (left side). 95% original blue remains on the bolt. 98% plus attractive age darkened original silver plating remains on the forend cap, receiver, and buttplate. The inscription is crisp. 70% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. Some original nitre blue remains on the loading gate.
The wood is also very fine with a repaired sliver at the upper tang, some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Most of the finish remains. Mechanically excellent. A rare factory silver trim deluxe Model 1886 rifle with interesting period, possibly factory inscription that will add dimension to the most advanced Winchester collections!
Estimate: 22,500 - 32,500
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