50/100 Cal Winchester 1886 Take-Down Lever Action Rifle

50/100 Cal Winchester 1886 Take-Down Lever Action Rifle
The Only Factory Documented 50/100 Caliber Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Take-Down Lever Action Rifle with R.L. Wilson and George Madis Letters of Authenticity

Rock Island’s fantastic Spring Premiere Auction to be held April 25th, 26th and 27th 2009

50/100 Caliber Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Take-Down Lever Action Rifle
50/100 Caliber Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Take-Down Lever Action Rifle

Rock Island Auction Company
Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company – -(AmmoLand.com)- This is an example of a truly exceptional one-of-a-kind Winchester Model 1886, Take-Down, Fancy Sporting Rifle that was manufactured in 1894-5.

What is truly unique about this rifle is that it is factory documented as being chambered for 50/100 caliber. In a Buffalo Bill Historical Center letter dated January 20th, 1987 Winchester Arms Museum Researcher, William L. Porter, states the following (about this rifle):

“In researching the Model 1886 records, I found that serial number 97359 was a 50/100 caliber arm when it left the factory. This was the only 50/100 caliber arm recorded. The aforementioned documentation is contrary to the rifle as having the “450” added to “Ex 50-100-450″.”

It is the noted authority R. L. Wilson’s opinion (letter included), that the factory remarked the rifle upon it’s documented return to the factory on either July 1, 1908 and May 28, 1915. The rifle has a blued barrel and receiver with color casehardened lever, hammer and crescent buttplate. Blued receivers are typically found on special order take-down Model 1886 rifles in this serial number range.

Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Take-Down Lever Action Rifle
Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Take-Down Lever Action Rifle

The rifle has many rare special order features which include: fancy grade, checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock, very rare half-round/half-octagon barrel with full length magazine, matted sighting plane on both the round and octagon portions of the barrel, rare ‘Winchester Express’ rear sight with two folding leaves, ebony pistol grip inlay and eyelets for detachable sling swivels on the forearm cap and butt. 1895 was the first year that the M1886 Winchester was chambered for this cartridge.

The hammer has the early style knurling with double border on the spur. The upper receiver tang is roll stamped: “-MODEL 1886-” and the lower tang is marked: “-PAT.OCT.14.1884./JAN.20.1885-” in two lines behind the trigger. The serial number, “97359” is located behind the lower tang screws.

50/100 Cal Winchester 1886 Take-Down Lever Action Rifle
50/100 Cal Winchester 1886 Take-Down Lever Action Rifle

The left barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: “MANUFACTURED BY THE/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN .CONN.U.S.A.”, followed by “NICKEL STEEL” below the rear sight and “EX 50-100-450”. The oval Winchester proof mark is stamped on the left barrel flat between the caliber designation and the receiver.

Besides R. L. Wilson’s letter and the factory letter, there is also noted Winchester authority and book author George Madis’s letter dated August 1, 1994 about this rare Model 1886 50/100 included in the lot.

Condition:
Excellent as factory repaired. The rifle retains nearly 95% of the original high polish blue finish. The barrel and magazine have nearly all of the blue finish with some edge wear at the muzzle and some take-down marks on the magazine tube. The blue finish is thinning on the underside of the receiver and the take-down portions of the barrel.

There is light contact wear on upper edge of the receiver. The loading lever and hammer have nearly all of the casehardened finish with vivid case colors. The case colors on the buttplate have faded to a silver patina. The fancy walnut stock and forearm are in excellent condition. The finely cut checkering on the forearm and pistol grip is sharp.

The forearm shows only very minor handling wear. The stock has some scattered handling marks with some discoloration and deeper scratches on the toe of the stock behind the sling swivel eyelet. The factory markings on the barrel and receiver tang are crisp.

This is a truly rare and unique 50/100 Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle with letters of documentation from factory records as well as two renowned experts. What a find!

Auction Estimate: $60,000 – $90,000

Visit Rock Island Auction to Bid Online…

Auction Details:
Rock Island Auction Company announces the next Premiere Firearms auction to be held at their facilities in Moline, IL. The huge success of our regional sale ($2.2 million) proves that people are investing in what they know: firearms are solid investments that hold value through economic downturns. Investing and collecting opportunities abound at Rock Island’s fantastic Spring Premiere Auction to be held April 25th, 26th and 27th. At a time when the stock market changes daily, gun collectors are seeing the worth of their investments. Hard assets are the place to invest your money and gun values continue to rise. This auction has firearms for every level of collecting and investing from Colts to Winchesters, military to Class III and the hundreds of high quality sporting arms. Rock Island’s continued sell through rate of over 97% proves that items that come to RIAC are for sale and now is your chance to make a solid investment.

About:
Rock Island Auction Company has been solely owned and operated by Patrick Hogan. This company was conceived on the idea that both the sellers and buyers should be completely informed and provided a professional venue for a true auction. After working with two other auction companies, Mr. Hogan began Rock Island Auction in 1993. Rock Island Auction Company has grown to be one of the top firearms auction houses in the nation. Under Mr. Hogan’s guidance the company has experienced growth each and every year; and he is the first to say it is his staff’s hard work and determination that have yielded such results.

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alan nygaard

I have a 1885 winchester 50ex. Serial #89922 missing butt.oct barrel

What can you tell me about this gun.

Thanks

Alan