This lot includes a scarce and RARE collectable firearm in the form of a first *full-year* production, Winchester Model 1886, .45-70 Lever-Action repeating rifle. The rifle is accompanied by a Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody Firearms Museum factory letter, identifying this exact rifle by serial number (5728), confirming that the serial was applied on June 18th, 1887 and that the rifle was originally shipped from the factory in July of 1887 as an octagon rifle, chambered for .45-70. John Browning had big Western game in mind, chambering the rifle for .45-70 Government, making the big Model 1886 the strongest and most potent lever-action rifle of its day. In addition to the massive caliber, the rifle features a full octagon 26" barrel, with a full magazine tube, an adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and paired with a Rocky Mountain blade front sight. The rifle is stamped in numerous places, reading; "Model 1886" on the top of the tang, "PAT. OCT. 14. 1884. - JAN. 20. 1885." on the lower tang, underneath the lever, "45-70" on the top of the barrel, infront of the receiver, and "-Manufactured by the- - -Winchester Repeating Arms CO. New Haven. CONN. U.S.A.-" on top of the barrel, infront of the rear sight. Overall, this 131 year old rifle shows truly exceptional collector grade condition, boasting deep blue on the barrel, excellent condition wood fixtures, with very-tight wood to metal fit, un-mared screw heads, and a fine silver patina forming on the receiver which was case hardened from factory. In addition to the fine aesthetic quality, the rifle also shows very-good mechanical condition, with a bright bore, showing strong rifling, and a tight action. This is a truly extraordinary frontier rifle, that deserves place in the finest of Winchester or early Western firearms collections. The rifle qualifies as an Antique Long Gun, and doesnt require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check. Serial Number: 5728. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer