Offered for sale is a very early Winchester 1886 octagon rifle, manufactured during the first two years of production in the rare and desirable .40-82 caliber, low serial number that was made in 1888. A scarce and desirable western big game chambering in the Model 1886, the .40-82 cartridge was considered a powerful, flat-shooting round based on the long .45-90 cartridge case gradually necked down to take .40 caliber bullets. John Browning designed the big Model 1886 to be the strongest and most potent lever action rifle of the day. The standard and correct 26” octagon barrel, with full magazine tube, shows a deep and rich, aged blue finish and retains excellent Winchester markings that include: “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.” The upper tang is marked with the earliest model designation and states simply, “MODEL 1886.” The bolt located on the top of the receiver also shows a deep and very aged, blue finish. The receiver case colors have faded to an uncleaned gray/brown appearance. The action is fully functional and tight. Further, this early 1886 is fitted with a buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and a small blade/bead front sight. The top of the octagon barrel ahead of the receiver is correctly stamped with the caliber designation “40-82.” The 1886 in .40-82 chambering was very popular in the American West, where it was considered a powerful enough cartridge for the largest game encountered—plus it has the advantage of being flat shooting, enough for long shots at distant targets. This is an early and seriously powerful frontier rifle in very good and uncleaned condition. It would be a fine addition to any Winchester or Old West collection. Serial Number: 27504. This firearm qualifies as an Antique and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check. The firearm has a nice bore with very slight blemish / bulge at the end (a photograph is shown for your own inspection).