The letter describes Winchester Model 1886, serial number 106718 as: "Carbine, 45/70 caliber" and states that it was shipped from Winchester on November 5, 1896. The carbine has a 22-inch round barrel with full-length magazine. The barrel has a standard steel block front sight base with steel blade and a folding leaf rear sight graduated to 900 yards. A saddle ring secured by a threaded stud is located on the left side of the receiver. The stock has a carbine style buttplate with no trap. The stock and forearm are straight grain, oil finished, American walnut. The receiver, hammer, loading gate and buttplate have a color casehardened finish. The barrel, magazine, barrel bands, bolt, trigger and loading gate are blued. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "- MANUFACTURED BY THE-/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.-" in two lines between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. The caliber designation "45-70" is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped "-MODEl 1886-". The 1884/1885 patent dates are stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger. The serial number "106718" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the tang screws. Because of their weight, Model 1886 carbines were not sold in large numbers, and original examples in very good or better condition are scarce.

Very fine. 80% of the original blue finish remains on the barrel and magazine. The barrel legend and caliber marking are crisp. The upper barrel band retains 40% of the blue finish and the lower band has a silver-gray patina. The bolt retains nearly all of the blue finish and most of the blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver has developed a dull brown patina and retains 40% of the faded case colors in protected areas. The same brown patina is present on the hammer and lever. The case colors on the buttplate have faded to a smooth, dove-gray, patina. The stock and forearm are both in fine condition and retain most of the original oil finish. Wear is limited to scattered light handling marks located primarily on the right side of the stock at the wrist. This is a very fine example of a scarce Winchester Model 1886 carbine in highly desirable 45-70 caliber.