Winchester Model 1886 Sporting Rifle with Cody Firearms Museum letter. The Cody letter describes Model 1886, serial number 59955 as: "Rifle, 40/82 caliber, Barrel Shape: Octagon", and "Plain trigger". The letter states that this rifle was shipped from Winchester on September 3, 1891. The rifle has a 26-inch full octagon barrel with full length magazine. The barrel has an express style front sight with colored bead and flat top, non-adjustable, sporting style rear sight. Sling swivels are fitted to the forearm cap and stock. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a receiver sight. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE-/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. -" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The caliber, "40-82 W.C.F." is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and the receiver. "-MODEL 1886-" is roll-stamped on the upper receiver tang. The 1884 and 1885 patent dates are stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger and the serial number, "59955" is stamped in script numerals between the lower tang screws. The barrel, magazine, bolt, loading gate and trigger have a blue finish. The receiver, forearm cap, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate are color case-hardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with a varnish finish.

Very fine. The rifle retains 90% of the original blue and casehardened finish. 95% of the blue finish is present on the barrel. The magazine tube is a refinished replacement. Wear is limited to some very limited finish loss on high points and a few scattered and insignificant handling marks. The barrel markings are perfect. The forearm cap and receiver have 85% of the casehardened finish with vivid case colors. The case colors on the hammer and lever are muted but remain about 90% intact. The buttplate has a dark patina patches of surface discoloration. The stock and forearm are in fine overall condition and retain close to 90% of the varnish finish. There is an old and shallow scratch on the right side of the stock just above the sling swivel and several minor handling marks on the right side of the forearm just ahead of the receiver.