Factory Engraved Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .45-90 W.C.F. Matted Round Barrel

Description:
An exceptional second-year Winchester Deluxe Model 1886, manufactured in 1887, this rifle combines several highly desirable special-order features: a factory matted barrel, .45-90 W.C.F. chambering, rare “$2.00” factory engraving, deluxe checkered pistol-grip wood, and factory-letter confirmation. With only 204 Model 1886 rifles documented by John T. Madl as having factory matted barrels—and far fewer in .45-90—this is a notably scarce and historically significant collector-grade Winchester.

• Manufactured in 1887, the second year of Model 1886 production
• Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 lever-action rifle in a special-order configuration
• Chambered in the highly desirable .45-90 W.C.F. cartridge
• Factory matted round barrel—an exceptionally scarce feature
  • Research by John T. Madl indicates only 204 Model 1886 rifles were produced with factory matted barrels
  • Far fewer were chambered in .45-90 W.C.F., making this configuration extremely scarce in any condition on the collectors market
• Rare factory “$2.00” engraving
  • A seldom-ordered feature by itself
  • Extremely scarce when paired with a factory matted barrel
• Included factory letter confirms the rifle as:
  • .45-90 caliber
  • Matted round barrel
  • Plain trigger
  • Lyman and Rocky Mountain sights
  • “Engraved 2.00”
  • Checkered pistol grip stock
  • Hard rubber shotgun buttplate
  • Received at the warehouse on 14 June 1887
  • Shipped the same day, 14 June 1887
• Historically important Browning-designed Winchester lever action
  • Developed after Winchester sought a stronger repeating rifle to compete with Marlin’s Model 1881
  • Marked the beginning of Winchester’s successful line of John Browning-designed lever-action rifles
  • Built to handle the powerful cartridges of the era
• Strong Old West and big-game hunting appeal
  • The Model 1886 became especially popular in the American West
  • Favored by large-game hunters and those needing a powerful, rugged, dependable rifle
  • In .45-90 W.C.F., it represented one of the most capable North American hunting rifles of its time
• Shows evidence consistent with Western hunting use
  • Some pitting is present on approximately 2 inches of the barrel and magazine tube near the muzzle
  • The pattern has the appearance of pitting caused by blood splatter from a point-blank shot
• Attractive casehardened receiver finish
  • Casehardening was standard on the Model 1886 until around 1901
• Factory “$2.00” engraving details include:
  • Subtle floral scroll on the sides of the hammer
  • Floral scroll on the lever
  • Floral scroll on the forearm cap
  • Kidney-shaped fan engraving on the bottom of the forearm cap
• Full-length factory barrel matting
  • The top of the barrel has a strip of very finely checkered matting running its full length
  • Standard two-line Winchester address is stamped within the matted section
  • Caliber marking is offset on the left side at the breech
• Correct period markings
  • Upper tang has the model marking
  • Lower tang has the two-line patent dates
  • Early second-year production four-digit serial number
  • Left side of the lower tang is marked “2876 XX S RB”
  • “2876” is repeated in the stock inlet
• Special-order sight configuration
  • Rocky Mountain blade front sight
  • Front sight once had a platinum-inlaid centerline
  • Elevation-adjustable No. 22 notch rear sight
  • Lyman combination peep sight mounted on the upper tang
• Deluxe wood and furniture
  • Extremely highly figured forearm
  • Highly figured pistol grip stock
  • Factory H-pattern checkering on both the forearm and stock
  • Ebony insert at the base of the pistol grip
  • Fully checkered hard rubber shotgun buttplate

This is a standout early Winchester Model 1886 with documented factory special-order features, significant Browning/Winchester history, scarce .45-90 chambering, rare matted barrel, and unusual factory engraving—an especially compelling piece for advanced Winchester collectors.

Condition

Fine showing the honest look of a beloved hunting rifle, retaining 60% plus of the original blue finish, 60% plus of the original case colors, remaining vibrant in some areas, 97% of the bright, original blue finish on the breech bolt, and 75% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate, with some cleaned moderate pitting near the muzzle and magazine tube end plug (see above), some mild handling wear, some scattered light handling marks, and both the engraving and matted panel on the barrel remaining crisp. The wood is also fine, with some light handling wear, some scattered minor dings and scratches, a minor chip absent from the toe of the buttplate, mostly crisp checkering, and most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. A solid example of a scarce, highly optioned Winchester Model 1886 rifle that has the look of having legendary hunting stories to tell!

Rifle Caliber: .45-90 Winchester
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1886
Serial Number: 4174
Barrel Length: 26 inch matted round
Condition: The bore is partially bright with some light spotting and distinct rifling.

Price: $56,399.99