Manufactured in 1901 in desirable .45-70 caliber and factory documented special order deluxe extra lightweight takedown short rifle configuration. The accompanying Cody Firearm Records office serial number verification lists this rifle with a 22 inch round barrel in .45-70 caliber (smokeless), extra lightweight and takedown configuration, plain trigger, oil finished checkered pistol grip stock, Lyman receiver sight, half magazine, and hard rubber shotgun buttplate when received in the warehouse on March 12, 1902 and shipped the next day. According to Winchester expert George Madis, "Very few receiver sights were fitted to any Winchesters." These scarcely encountered factory mounted receiver sights are nearly never documented in the factory records. The factory documented receiver sight on this rifle alone makes it a highly desirable example missing from even the most advanced Winchester lever action collections. As stated, the rifle has an original 22 inch barrel. Model 1886 rifles with special order barrels shorter or longer than the standard 26-inch barrel are scarce. Overall a high condition deluxe Model 1886 extra lightweight takedown rifle with highly sought after rare special order features documented by the factory. As Madis notes, "Deluxe Model 86s in the rifles made after 1900 are hard to find, partly due to the higher cost of deluxe features." The barrel is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "45-70" at the breech on top and "NICKEL STEEL" on the left side. The rifle is equipped with a Marble Sheard beaded blade front sight, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and Lyman receiver sight. The upper tang is marked "-MODEL 1886-." The lower tang has the two-line patent dates marking and the serial number. The attractive highly figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature multi-point "H" style checkering. The buttstock has a Winchester hard rubber grip cap and shotgun buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "2 XX R." The assembly number "2" is repeated on the stock inlet.

Excellent, retaining 95% original blue finish with finish mixed with brown and gray patinas on the upper tang, otherwise some thinning to brown strongest on the forend cap and underside of frame and takedown collar. 50% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 95% vivid original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The factory documented oil finished wood is also excellent with a couple natural hairline age stress lines along the grain, some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. An excellent factory documented Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Extra Lightweight Takedown rifle that would be hard to improve upon!