The "Holy Grail" of 1886 Winchesters. Sorry, but someone more "techie" than I will have to show the photos.
RIA Auction, 20, 21, 22 May
Lot #: 3006 Estimated Price: $75,000 - $125,000
Serial #: 149493 Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1886-Carbine Type: Carbine
Gauge: 50 Catalog Page: 126
Barrel Length: 22 inch round Finish: blue
Grip: N/A Stock: walnut checkered
Condition Rating:
Description: This extraordinary Semi-Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine was manufactured in 1909 and chambered for the .50 Express cartridge. The carbine is fitted with a special order pistol grip stock with shotgun butt. The stock and forearm are both straight grain walnut with a low-luster varnish finish and checkered panels. The black hard rubber buttplate is checkered and embossed with the round, "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS", logo. The pistol grip has a black hard rubber cap embossed, "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS. The barrel is fitted with a standard carbine post front sight with nickel-silver blade and a special order, three leaf, "WINCHESTER EXPRESS, rear sight. The left side of the receiver has a special order saddle ring. The barrel, magazine, barrel bands and receiver are blued; the hammer and loading lever have a color casehardened finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE- / -WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN U.S.A.-" with arrows at the end of each line. The oval, Winchester "W/P" proofmark and the caliber designation "50 EX" are roll-stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The "W/P" proofmark is stamped on the top of the receiver. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "MODEL 1886 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. In U.S. PAT. OFF." in three lines. The two line, 1884/1885 patent dates and the serial number, "149493" are located on the lower receiver tang. On page 333 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" author George Madis described a Model 1886 Carbine with shotgun butt, pistol grip and special order sights. Madis stated that any carbine with one special order feature is rare and that a Model 1886 Carbine with shotgun butt, pistol grip and special order sights is in "the rarest of the rare class". The description noted: "A shotgun butt and pistol grip are among the greatest rarities on any carbine, especially the 86. We find that comparatively few Model 86 carbines were made and an even less number had any special features". This carbine has a shotgun butt, pistol grip, special order Winchester Express Rear Sight and is chambered for the rare and very desirable .50 Winchester Express cartridge.
Condition: Excellent overall with of 97% plus the original blue finish. The barrel and magazine retain nearly all the blue finish with some minor edge wear on the muzzle and end of the magazine. The receiver has some very minor edge wear barely noticeable and scattered age spots and some contact marks from the saddle ring on the left side. The hammer and loading lever retains more than 95% of the vivid casehardened finish. The bore is bright. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition. The checkered panels are crisp. Nearly all of the varnish finish is intact; handling wear is minimal. This is an exceptional example of an extremely rare Model 1886 Express Semi-Deluxe Carbine with special order pistol grip stock, shotgun butt and express sights. This is one of the rarest variations of the Model 1886 Winchester. This rare, high condition, Model 1886 Carbine would be a stand-out piece in the most advanced Winchester collection.
RIA had a mess of guns at the Sunnybrooke Antique show a month or two ago that they were displaying. (the show where I snagged serial # 58 Colt Lightning) The 86 SRC was the first one on the rack. It was the real deal and looked like it was made yesterday but it did not look like it was made yesterday----yes, that makes sense----As you know, you gotta have an eye for these things 
