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Question about model 1886 at RIA's Sep auction

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spursfan

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August 28, 2013 - 12:58 pm

In trying to learn more about Model 86s, I was reviewing past and upcoming auctions of the major auction houses. In the Sep 2013 RIA auction, lot #1141 is a Model 1886 .45-70 ELW TD w/PG stock and H-style checkering. I see the wood is not 2X or 3X; however, the Cody letter just notes an "Oil finish". I’ve seen a number of Model 94s and some 86s with I-style checker and straight grain wood but don’t recall seeing any particular rifle with H-style checker also with straight grained wood (or just slightly upgraded wood). Can someone educate me on how common something like this is? Does the lack of upgraded wood detract from the overall value of the rifle?

Here’s a link to Lot 1141…

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/59/lid/1141

Thanks – spursfan

mrcvs

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August 28, 2013 - 5:33 pm

Looking at the photos, this is definitely at least 2X walnut, so this is atypical of a run of the mill 1886, but typical of a deluxe 1886. I do not know how common, or uncommon, a Winchester with pistol grip and checkering would be with straight grain walnut, but I know of an 1892 out there with checkering and pistol grip that contains, at best, 1X walnut, but may, in fact, be standard walnut. Perhaps someone out there wanted the features of checkering and a pistol grip and realised that fancy grain in walnut, although beautiful to look at, makes the stock inherently weaker.