Very interesting.  Thanks for posting.  Must have been one of those 15 M1886 .50 calibers ordered as a smoothbore.  I know one of those .50 caliber 1886 smoothbore 86's was the one made in .50-100-450

This box for sale with provenance, I found very interesting on member Joe Salters site.

https://shop.joesalter.com/Very-Rare-50-110-Winchester-Chilled-Shot-Ammo-Box-Fired-By-Colorado-Trick-Shooter

Tony

Zebulon said
Tom,  That carbine deserves a piece in the Collector, detailing your quest and alternatives you passed on, etc. Distinguish (and illustrate) the fine points of yours that convinced you this was the one. Tell what you just said about the condition requirements for your collection. Not everybody knows intuitively how to set their personal standards and limits
It is a story hard core collectors can relate to and beginners can learn from. It would really be a service to the membership. 
And you have to get that carbine blooded this Fall. The article needs a cover shot of you, your Downeast hunting garb, a fat spike buck for the table, and the carbine. Your fans expect nothing less. 
  

Bill, I can truly appreciate your advise. I would have one request tho. Once I write such an article, with you knowing my Yankee drivel, would you be willing to proof read it and correct ALL grammatical errors? Maybe I can put at least a rough draft together before December.  

Zebulon said

Chuck said
I love the highwalls and have 2 sharps.  The 1885's were late to the game.
These dates are when a single shot target rifle came out.
Sharps 1874, Remington 1873, Ballard/Marlin 1876, Marlin 1881, Maynard 1873, Peabody/Martini 1875, Whitney 1871, Phoenix/Eli Whitney 1874, Frank Wesson 1870, Bullard 1883/84, Stevens 1886.
  

This thread made me curious about two events: The first design for a commercially produced percussion ignition falling block rifle and the first design for a commercially produced metallic cartridge falling block rifle (including conversions). Worldwide.
Christian Sharps wins the percussion race with his 1848 patent.  Charles Ballard wins in  the metallic cartridge category with his 1861 patent. 
I had thought Alexander Henry or Farquharson might have been first with a metallic cartridge falling block but Henry's was not patented until 1865 and Farquharson's not until 1875.   Neither entered the firearms market until the metallic cartridge Era was underway. 
Unless I've somehow overlooked earlier European or Asian designs, it looks like American inventors schooled the World on falling block rifles. 
  

Target shooting really took off after the center fire cartridges were developed.  In most cases the Europeans were usually ahead of the Americans.  I may have data for the English and German rifles.  I'll have to look.  In 1873 the Irish were the champions. At least in the countries around Britain.  The US team beat them the 2 times they met. 

Chuck said
I love the highwalls and have 2 sharps.  The 1885's were late to the game.
These dates are when a single shot target rifle came out.
Sharps 1874, Remington 1873, Ballard/Marlin 1876, Marlin 1881, Maynard 1873, Peabody/Martini 1875, Whitney 1871, Phoenix/Eli Whitney 1874, Frank Wesson 1870, Bullard 1883/84, Stevens 1886.
  

This thread made me curious about two events: The first design for a commercially produced percussion ignition falling block rifle and the first design for a commercially produced metallic cartridge falling block rifle (including conversions). Worldwide.

Christian Sharps wins the percussion race with his 1848 patent.  Charles Ballard wins in  the metallic cartridge category with his 1861 patent. 

I had thought Alexander Henry or Farquharson might have been first with a metallic cartridge falling block but Henry's was not patented until 1865 and Farquharson's not until 1875.   Neither entered the firearms market until the metallic cartridge Era was underway. 

Unless I've somehow overlooked earlier European or Asian designs, it looks like American inventors schooled the World on falling block rifles. 

Chuck said
I watched that John Wayne movie just a few days ago.
  

Classic!!!

I never tire of it myself, even after several watches!

Tony

North America’s bison herd was pretty much wiped out before 1890. Good thing target shooting was popular! Winchester’s Single Shot all but missed the era of the buffalo rifle.

Mike

I'm in agreement with you Mike.

The Wapiti we're wiped out, and so was the Whiskey! "We go home"!

Tony

Chuck said
I love the highwalls and have 2 sharps.  The 1885's were late to the game.
These dates are when a single shot target rifle came out.
Sharps 1874, Remington 1873, Ballard/Marlin 1876, Marlin 1881, Maynard 1873, Peabody/Martini 1875, Whitney 1871, Phoenix/Eli Whitney 1874, Frank Wesson 1870, Bullard 1883/84, Stevens 1886.
  

North America’s bison herd was pretty much wiped out before 1890. Good thing target shooting was popular! Winchester’s Single Shot all but missed the era of the buffalo rifle. 

Mike

Chuck said
I love the highwalls and have 2 sharps.  The 1885's were late to the game.
These dates are when a single shot target rifle came out.
Sharps 1874, Remington 1873, Ballard/Marlin 1876, Marlin 1881, Maynard 1873, Peabody/Martini 1875, Whitney 1871, Phoenix/Eli Whitney 1874, Frank Wesson 1870, Bullard 1883/84, Stevens 1886.
  

We have the same likes once again!

Great additional info Chuck!

Tony

These dates are when a single shot target rifle came out.

Sharps 1874, Remington 1873, Ballard/Marlin 1876, Marlin 1881, Maynard 1873, Peabody/Martini 1875, Whitney 1871, Phoenix/Eli Whitney 1874, Frank Wesson 1870, Bullard 1883/84, Stevens 1886.

A fine piece as I'm in agreement with the others, like Steve said, it goes well with you're collection, as the missing link.

Bill is also correct as s short story of the hunt, and the picture of the rifle deserves to be in the Collector. 

Tony