Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Extra Lightweight Rifle
Manufactured in 1902, this is a solid example of a special-order Winchester Model 1886 Extra Lightweight rifle. The standard configuration for the Extra Lightweight variant featured a 22-inch tapered barrel, half magazine, .45-70 W.C.F. chambering, and a hard rubber shotgun buttplate.
The included factory letter confirms this rifle in .45-70 caliber with a 22-inch round barrel, plain trigger, half magazine, rubber shotgun buttplate, and “Extra Light” designation. It was received at the warehouse on January 8, 1904, and shipped on February 29, 1904, under order number 217179, and again on March 14, 1904, under order number 225156. The rifle was returned on December 21, 1904 (order number 264010), received back at the warehouse on December 23, 1904, and shipped once more on May 4, 1905, under order number 6738. While the reason for the multiple shipments and return is unknown, it is possible the rifle served as a promotional sample sent to various dealers.
The barrel bears the standard two-line address and caliber marking on top, with the nickel steel marking on the left side of the rear sight. The upper tang is stamped with the model designation, while the lower tang bears the two-line patent dates and serial number. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a peep sight, currently fitted with a filler screw. Sighting equipment includes a Lyman beaded blade front sight and an elevation-adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight, the latter showing evidence of period file modification.
Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock, it features a checkered Winchester hard rubber buttplate and the correct “extra light” hollowed buttstock interior beneath the buttplate.
Fine, retaining 80%+ of the original blue finish on the receiver with areas of cold blue visible on the underside, 70% thin and faded blue on the barrel with scattered scratches, 75%+ of the original case colors on the lever and hammer, and 25% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate. Exhibits mild edge and handling wear along with scattered surface marks. The wood is very fine, showing light scattered dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A strong and appealing representative example of a Winchester Model 1886 “Extra Lightweight” rifle in the highly desirable .45-70 W.C.F. caliber.
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