The factory letter is accurate as far as it goes: Rifle, 45/90, Takedown, Plain trigger, Octagon barrel, Model 1886, Manufactured in late 1894 and SR# 949XX. There are four additional features not identified in the letter.
-Eyes for Winchester sling in forearm and stock
-Lyman 5-I with round bead sighting blade
-Lyman N (Marked) rear peep sight with 1″ disk
-Rear sight blank
So my questions are is it possible the rifle was returned to the factory for these features to be added?
Is it possible the letter is inaccurate?
What are you thoughts and experiences?
Photos provided for reference.
Cheers Kirk
January 26, 2011

Kirk
I wouldn’t be worried at all about the missing features. I think most will agree that more often than not, sights will not letter. The sling eyes may have been missed on the ledger, or possibly added later, but if they appear to be correct Winchester eyes I would be happy with it.
As for the letter, I wouldn’t call it inaccurate, but instead, call it incomplete. With hundreds upon thousands of guns to hand enter, human error had to occur frequently, or just plain laziness may be a more likely answer.
Now if it had an octagon barrel but the letter called out round, that would bother me.
Hope this helps,
~Gary~
Kirk,
Sights seldom letter. I would say about 10-15% of them will letter with sights. Sling eyes are one of the most missed feature on letters
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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