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With DST’s!
No, I don’t own it. I held it in my hands at Frontier Americana in Fargo in 1997. Yes, it was for sale. Yes, I wanted it. No, I didn’t have $6000 in disposable funds at the time. But I wanted it – I had never seen one like it – and haven’t since in the intervening 28 years. Wow – this is one Tom would want. Makes me wonder who has it now.
Here is an excerpt from his catalog:
By the way, I also really wanted the .50 Express short rifle listed below it. Had that in my hands and didn’t want to let it go either:
As the ad states, this rifle was pictured in the Madis Handbook:
As an interesting fact, I did own the M1886 .45-70 ELW pictured immediately below the .45-90 in the Handbook:
Interestingly enough, that rifle was a .45-70, not a .45-90. If you read the narrative, George doesn’t actually say the rifle pictured is a .45-90. Rather, what I’m sure he means is 151866 is listed in the Winchester ledger as a .45-90 and it would look like the one pictured. I am quite sure of this as the blue wear on the left side of the rifle receiver was distinctive. Another point of interest, this exact .45-70 rifle is pictured in the large Madis book (last 86 pictured in that chapter).
And to finish this post, I did not walk out of the shop that day empty-handed. They happened to have a Ross M-10 .280 Ross sporter in stock. It was the first one they had ever had, and it was the first Ross rifle I ever acquired. I would have rather walked out with the .45-90 ELW but I paid about 1/12 of that purchase price for the Ross rifle.
Great story Steve,
We all enjoy seeing the pictures, and hearing these stories from the past as many of us all have the, “shoulda woulda coulda’s”!
I tried to buy a Crystal ball from a fortune teller, years ago as they we’re pretty easy to find at the local carnivals, and such. I figured that it could help me, determining the rise in collectable Winchester’s down the road. I shouldn’t have told her what I wanted it for, as nothing doing, on that purchase. LOL!
Thanks for sharing,
Anthony
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Steve! Your killing me here! An ELW in 45-90 gets my blood going as it is, throw in those little “special features” and I’m all giddy. Are you mad at me for those pictures I posted? Yes you are correct about wanting that rifle, would look good next to my 45-70 with a half round too!
oldcrankyyankee said
Steve! Your killing me here! An ELW in 45-90 gets my blood going as it is, throw in those little “special features” and I’m all giddy. Are you mad at me
Tom – I did have you in mind when I made this post – I knew it would get your blood flowing! Of course I’m not mad at you for posting your picture – I always enjoy them. As this the topic here is M1886 ELW’s, my .45-70 with special order 3/4 magazine should fit in:
Very nice Steve, the 3/4 mag is a neat feature as I believe the majority are 1/2 mags. Here is one for you. Note the sling eyes.
oldcrankyyankee said
Very nice Steve, the 3/4 mag is a neat feature as I believe the majority are 1/2 mags. Here is one for you. Note the sling eyes.
Tom – that one is a screamer. And of course it reflects the pinnacle that we aspire for here – all the features letter! The condition is amazing.
This makes me reflect on some input I received from a fellow collector many years ago. He was not a Winchester collector but he did have a very particular focus in his own collecting. He knew I had a high interest in M1886’s, but he also looked at the wide variety of pieces that I was acquiring. He felt the better path was to be a, “collector” vs. an, “accumulator.” Anyway… he made a simple suggestion: “why don’t you just collect M1886’s?”
What you’ve been doing with M1886’s really highlights the wisdom of my friend’s suggestion 
Believe me, I have many of your pieces well-memorized.
I thought you might remember that one as I have shown it before but not with the letter. I actually have the envelope with it also. It belonged to an old local collector and had been in his safe for nearly 50 years before I became the current custodian. I also wound up with a couple others he owned too. All great stuff.
Collecting 86’s has been easy for me, not sure why, I just like them. I like other guns and have other stuff, but I figured after chasing this and that it would be better to focus on a particular model and just look for the best condition I can find. I love the big 45-90, but I have found myself really enjoying the ELW’s too. Of course you remember this one don’t you?
Tom –
I do understand why the inclination to collect M1886’s comes easily. Aside from the great design, etc., etc., there is so much variation within the M1886. All the different chamberings, carbines, muskets, ELW’s, and on and on. A person could have a very active and long life chasing down all the variations (not to mention all the rifles with special order features).
I do recall the rifle pictured above and it is magnificent.
I also like the timeless usefulness of the M1886. Despite, “modern” improvements, it’s still a top choice for all big game hunting – except that it not a rifle for taking 600 yard shots. I don’t consider the 26 octagon barreled versions timeless, but the ELW’s are a different animal.
Steve , I agree with you about the various renditions and options available on the 86’s. Other models as well, I think this was a time when the customer was truly first and Winchester valued that ideal. I think they’re mantra had to have been, ” I don’t care how hard it is to build. That is what the customer wants. just make it!” That is just one of the reasons I like the 86 so much, special features. Still need a SRC and an ELW in 33 tho. As they say time will come.
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