Lot 1003

Three-Digit Serial Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Rifle

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Three-Digit Serial Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Rifle

Estimate: $14,000 - $22,500

Starting Bid: $12,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable First Year Production Three-Digit Serial Number Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .45-90 W.C.F. with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1886, the first year of production, this is an exceptional example of an extremely early production, three-digit serial number, special ordered Winchester Model 1886 rifle. The Model 1886 was the first repeating rifle design by John Moses Browning for Winchester and was a true game changer for the company. The vertical locking lugs of Browning's design made it significantly stronger than any of the toggle link designs Winchester had in their repertoire, giving them a rifle that could chamber some of the most powerful cartridges of the time, such as .45-90 W.C.F. as this example boasts. The rifles quickly gained popularity among those who might reasonably expect to encounter particularly large or tough opponents, man or beast. Many of these rifles found their way to the American West, both as hunting rifle and a defensive tool, leaving even special ordered examples in high condition such as this quite rare on todays collectors market. Given the configuration this rifle was ordered in, it would have made an extremely handy and powerful hunting rifle or tool for self-defense. The included factory letter lists this rifle in .45-90 caliber with a half octagon barrel, plain trigger, and half magazine when received at the warehouse on 22 October 1886 and shipped on 14 February 1887 to order no. 15497. Winchester author and historian George Madis notes that approximately only one out of every 120 rifles had a part octagon or other special barrel and one out of every 150 guns had a non-standard magazine. The rifle has the highly attractive casehardened receiver that was standard on the model until around 1901. The top flat of the special order part octagon barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and "45-90 W.C.F." caliber marking at the breech. The model designation is on the upper tang, while the lower tang has the two-line patent dates and the early three-digit serial number. It is fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable No. 22 notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. Includes a later-made hardwood case with unfitted interior.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1886

BBL: 26 inch part octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-90 Winchester

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number449

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish, 60% of the vibrant original case colors, and 50% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a grey patina, a couple patches of lightly scrubbed spotting on the left rear of the barrel, and some scattered light scratches. The wood is also very fine with a hairline crack in the left front of the forearm and scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with mild handling/storage wear. This is an exceptionally early production example of a special ordered, three-digit serial number Winchester Model 1886 rifle in the highly desirable .45-90 W.C.F.!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000