Lot 17

Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Takedown Rifle in .45-70

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Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Takedown Rifle in .45-70

Estimate: $2,250 - $3,500

Starting Bid: $1,900

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Takedown Rifle in Highly Desirable .45-70 Government with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1907, this is an intriguing example of a special ordered Winchester Model 1886 rifle that has every appearance of having been meticulously configured by a discerning customer whose priority was functionality, likely as a big game hunting rifle. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .45-70 caliber with a 24 inch round nickel steel barrel, plain trigger, sights as "Lyman hunting front with gold bead and flat-top sporting rear notch slightly rounded", "WHV", takedown, and a rubber shotgun butt when received at the warehouse on 14 September 1908, shipped on 5 September 1908 to order no. 168541 (as listed in the ledger), and repaired and returned on 23 September 1909 to order no. 26006. It has the standard Winchester markings including factory oval proofs on the standard weight profile barrel and the receiver at the breech. It is fitted with a tall Lyman "Hunting" blade front sight with gold bead, a low elevation adjustable slightly rounded flat-topped "Sporting" notch rear sight, and a peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is likely that the "WHV" (Winchester High Velocity) in the factory letter is in reference to the special sights as "nickel steel" is also listed in the letter, which typically warranted the Winchester High Velocity designation for modern smokeless powder. The rifle is in takedown configuration. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with the larger internal hollow typically seen on "extra lightweight" rifles, as well as a checkered hard rubber buttplate.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1886

BBL: 24 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-70 Government

Finish: blue

Serial Number143637

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: Fine, retains 50% of the original blue finish on the receiver, 30% of the original case colors on the lever and hammer, 60% of the possibly factory refurbished blue on the barrel and magazine tube, and traces of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a brown patina, an applied coat of protective wax, some patches of very light surface spotting, and a minor scratch on the right of the receiver. The wood is also fine with a discreet professional splice repair in the toe and buttplate and some scattered minor dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. An intriguing, very specifically special ordered Winchester Model 1886 rifle in the ever-desirable .45-70 Government!

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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