The letter describes this rifle, as: "Rifle, 40/65 Caliber, 28 inch, x-heavy, Octagon barrel, Set trigger, Checkered stock with pistol grip" and "Rocky Mountain front sight". The letter states that this rifle was shipped from Winchester on November 25, 1889. In addition to the rare special order extra-heavy 28-inch barrel and single-set trigger, this rifle has a deluxe, fancy grade, highly figured forearm and pistol grip stock with Winchester "Style H" checkering. The bottom of the pistol grip has a factory ebony insert. The barrel has a Lyman folding combination front sight and a unique custom rear sight that may have been made by Freund Bros. or Carlos Gove. The original rear sight dovetail is fitted with a blank. The dovetail mounted rear sight is 8 1/8-inches long with a semi-hooded rear aperture and antique ivory elevator bar with four notches. A Lyman folding combination rear sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The rifle has a blued barrel, magazine, bolt, loading gate and trigger. The forearm cap, receiver, hammer, lever and crescent buttplates are color casehardened. The stock and forearm have a high polish piano finish. The two-line Winchester legend on the top barrel flat is partly covered by the rear sight finial. The caliber designation, "40-65 W.C.F." is roll stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight base and the receiver. The 1884 and 1885 patent dates are stamped in two lines on the lower tang behind the trigger, and the serial number "36890" is stamped in script numerals between the tang screws. Extra heavy barrels are very rare on Model 1886 rifles. A Model 1886 fancy sporting rifle with extra heavy barrel is an exceptionally rare rifle.

Fine. The barrel has 70% all of the original blue finish with light edge wear. The Winchester legend and caliber markings are sharp. The custom rear sight retains about 30% of the original fire blue finish; the balance of the sight has faded to a silver patina. The blue on the full length magazine is thin. The magazine retains about 85% of the blue finish with traces of plum patina. Nearly all of the blue finish is present on the bolt. The loading gate has a blue-gray patina. The case colors on the forearm tip and crescent buttplate have aged to a mottled gray. The receiver has 50% of the casehardened finish with strong colors on the sides and silvering on the edges and bottom. The hammer and sides of the lever have strong case colors; the bottom of the lever has silvered and shows traces of age discoloration. The highly figured, fancy grade walnut stock and forearm remain in very good condition and retain 85% of the piano finish. The right side of the forearm has a professionally repaired crack that starts at the forearm cap and runs above and parallel to the checkered panel along with limited light scattered handling marks on the stock and forearm. This is a fine example of an exceptionally rare Winchester Model 1886 Fancy Sporting Rifle with extra-heavy, 28-inch barrel, factory single set trigger and unique, period, custom rear sight.