Special Order Winchester Model 1886 Extra Lightweight Takedown Lever Action Rifle in .45-70 W.C.F.
Manufactured in 1922, the final year of production, this is a scarce example of a special-order Winchester Model 1886 extra lightweight, takedown, short rifle. This rifle was ordered in what is considered the standard configuration for the “extra lightweight” variation, which includes a 22 inch barrel, .45-70 W.C.F. chambering, half-length magazine, and a checkered hard rubber shotgun-style buttplate. According to renowned Winchester historian George Madis, only one out of every 720 Model 1886s was produced with a barrel shorter than standard, one in 150 featured a non-standard magazine configuration, and one in 420 was fitted with a special buttplate.
The left side of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Winchester address and patent information, “MADE IN U.S.A.”, the nickel steel marking, and the caliber designation. The right side of the barrel bears the model marking. The upper tang is marked with the three-line Winchester trademark, and the serial number is stamped on the lower tang. The rifle is equipped with a Lyman beaded blade front sight on the correct brazed-on base, an elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and a factory drilled and tapped hole on the upper tang for an optional peep sight, currently fitted with a filler screw. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip walnut stock with a Winchester checkered hard rubber buttplate.
Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina mixed with some protective varnish, most noticeably on the receiver. The wood is also fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
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