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Here is obviously a fantastically rare and high conditioned pair of M1886 .50 express guns – a heavy barreled rifle and a SRC. Amazing find, with an amazing price of course. The case colors look like the left the factory yesterday. We all know case color is a delicate and fragile finish that easily diminishes with handling and use, sun, climate conditions and so on. In looking at the wood on the SRC there is definite wear there. No abuse but it sure looks like the rifle has been used. My question, how could the wood show wear but the case coloring remain pristine. If you hunt an ’86 your hand is wrapped around that receiver…. ?
Besides being in the same auction what makes these two rifles a pair? I see no mention of consecutive serial numbers or even any provenance that says they were even owned by the same person.
They certainly don’t look like a pair of rifles set off to be a pair as the wood grade is very different between them. As well as the overall styling of the two.
I would wonder how much value is assigned to them for being this assumed pair?
Now if they had the same wood same butt plate same checkering and consecutive serial numbers or even numbers in the same ball park. Then I could see asking a premium for these being a pair.
But to me they look like two rifles layed next to each other for some photos.
IMHO
Mark – I completely agree with the point you make. I see them as two guns that have been, "paired" up because they make an interesting pair of high conditioned .50 caliber guns that one doesn’t see often. I think the question I posed speaks to the point you make. Not only are they not consecutively numbered, previously owned by the same person etc., but the condition of the wood on the SRC sure doesn’t mate up with the wood condition of the rifle.
By the way, another, "pair"
http://merzantiques.com/item/the-finest-pair-of-blued-frame-50-110-express-in-the-country
Might match up better had he paired the two SRC’s together?
The reason the case looks so good is Winchester put varnish over the case to protect it as well it makes the colors brighter and they were well cared for. The difference in wood finish is more to do with a deluxe was given a better finish on the wood and the straight grain wood is a standard finish.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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