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June 12, 2013
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I have recently purchased a model 1886 DLX extra light weight rifle in 45-70 caliber. I like the gun very much and realize some of its flaws but am asking members to evaluate it also and possibly point out some of its downfalls and also potential value. After some reviews, I will reveal as Paul Harvey said ” And the rest of the story”
April 15, 2005
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Pat,
Other than the special order Lyman No. 1 tang sight, it appears to be a standard “Fancy ELW” TD rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2022
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Is the mag tube split?
June 12, 2013
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oldcrankyyankee said
Is the mag tube split?
Yes , there is a short split in the mag tube
May 2, 2009
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Mag tubes were made from rolling a flat sheet into a tube and the seam was soldiered.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 13, 2008
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Looks like someone had trouble taking it down at one time and either hammered both sides of the flange or had it in a vice or wrench. I see the wood and frame were effected a little too.
Jeremy Scott.
WACA LIFE MEMBER, CFM MEMBER, ABKA MEMBER, JSSC MEMBER, MNO HISTORIAN
June 12, 2013
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antler1 said
I have recently purchased a model 1886 DLX extra light weight rifle in 45-70 caliber. I like the gun very much and realize some of its flaws but am asking members to evaluate it also and possibly point out some of its downfalls and also potential value. After some reviews, I will reveal as Paul Harvey said ” And the rest of the story”
OK. Time for the rest of the story. I purchased this rifle before obtaining a Cody Letter. Everything is correct and original on this rifle. A couple of members noted the obvious flaws to the rifle but still a hard gun to get in this condition and caliber. I prized the gun as highly collectible. Cody letter is picked up at the Cody show and I’m dumfounded to see that it does not letter. Letter follows. There is no way that this letter is for this gun even though the serial number matches. This has a PG tang as opposed to a straight tang for the most obvious. The gun is correct but the letter is not. So now what does this mismatch letter do to value of gun? It goes to show how much we count on the Cody Letters. Jessica even checked lines above and below and also similar numbers no ELW matches. Have others had such blatant errors in a Cody letter? Bought from respectable seller and no hard feelings to him or Jessica at Cody but a frustrating situation. 
October 29, 2011
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Me thinks it was an error in the ledger…………………Bill
November 7, 2015
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426crown said
Me thinks it was an error in the ledger…………………Bill
Sounds logical. I’ve had a nice 1894 that didn’t letter with a PG but the 1886 has the serial number on the lower tang so it makes the Frankenchester theory a bit of a stretch. Certainly presents as an honest gun, very nice wood and desirable configuration.
Mike
February 17, 2022
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Does the numbers on the tang match the wood?
December 9, 2002
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Pat,
I’m in agreement with the other members, as we’ve seen the lack of information in the ledgers on various models, hence the letter issues we see and have as members. I wouldn’t let it stop me, as you’re rifle is a very nice specimen, and I can understand you’re frustration.
oldcrankyyankee said
Does the numbers on the tang match the wood?
I also would like to know what Tom is asking about the tang.
Thanks for sharing!
June 12, 2013
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I just checked the tang and stock and they all match 906XX and 906 on stock. What nobody has ventured to address so far is how this mismatched letter to an obvious high grade 1886 will affect it’s price.
September 22, 2011
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antler1 said
I just checked the tang and stock and they all match 906XX and 906 on stock. What nobody has ventured to address so far is how this mismatched letter to an obvious high grade 1886 will affect it’s price.
It’s actually unfortunate that it isn’t in the range that doesn’t letter. Then you base a rifle on merit only.
It’s obvious that this is most likely an error in the ledgers, or, more correctly, an omission.
So, if I had two identical rifles like this one side by side, and one lettered correctly, and this one did not, I would value the other rifle more or this one less. So, it had to have an impact on value. But, then again, rifles like this don’t come along every day, so I’m going to guess 0 to 20%, with most knocking it about 10%.
November 7, 2015
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antler1 said
I just checked the tang and stock and they all match 906XX and 906 on stock. What nobody has ventured to address so far is how this mismatched letter to an obvious high grade 1886 will affect it’s price.
Pat-
I’m afraid it’s a long ways down that “excuse gun” trail. My personal feelings stop where the next buyer’s pocketbook starts. I think it’s a great gun but when the time comes to sell it the information contained in the letter will affect some buyers more than others. Most or all of us have had “excuse guns” and they’re a tough sell. Someone with the required expertise and experience will recognize it as an honest gun, as I believe you did. In today’s market buyers are sometimes afraid to trust their own judgement but with the high quality fakes we see who can blame them? Many buyers buy to re-sell and simply don’t want the “excuse” headache. Letters are an integral part of this hobby but at some point we need to decide if we’re buying a gun or a letter. I think Ian has a good feel for the actual numbers on probable sales price but also significant is the percentage of buyers who will eagerly buy a rifle like yours that matches the letter while declining to make an offer on this rifle. That number is hard to put a finger on but certainly a factor.
Mike
June 12, 2013
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TXGunNut said
antler1 said
I just checked the tang and stock and they all match 906XX and 906 on stock. What nobody has ventured to address so far is how this mismatched letter to an obvious high grade 1886 will affect it’s price.
Pat-
I’m afraid it’s a long ways down that “excuse gun” trail. My personal feelings stop where the next buyer’s pocketbook starts. I think it’s a great gun but when the time comes to sell it the information contained in the letter will affect some buyers more than others. Most or all of us have had “excuse guns” and they’re a tough sell. Someone with the required expertise and experience will recognize it as an honest gun, as I believe you did. In today’s market buyers are sometimes afraid to trust their own judgement but with the high quality fakes we see who can blame them? Many buyers buy to re-sell and simply don’t want the “excuse” headache. Letters are an integral part of this hobby but at some point we need to decide if we’re buying a gun or a letter. I think Ian has a good feel for the actual numbers on probable sales price but also significant is the percentage of buyers who will eagerly buy a rifle like yours that matches the letter while declining to make an offer on this rifle. That number is hard to put a finger on but certainly a factor.
Mike
Very well stated Mike. I will not intend to keep this as part of my permanent Winchester collection and it is obvious by my post that I have already decided to inform a large collecting audience of its downfall. I would not try to knowingly misrepresent it as other than an above grade highly collectible 1886 in 45-70 with this one problem. This 1886 will be for sale in the near future.
December 9, 2002
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Pat,
Good points are once again brought up here, but only the true Die Hard Collectors seem to go by the Cody Letter’s, as many nice rifle sell without a Cody letter or any documentation! IMHO!
I also like to see a good letter with as much info on it, but we’ve been around long enough and seen this before, and will see it again!
You’re rifle will command a good $$$ on any good auction site, and Especially on Gun Broker, where many go with extra money to spend and bid things up pretty high! Especially a good looker like yours! IMO!
Tony
April 30, 2023
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antler1 said
I just checked the tang and stock and they all match 906XX and 906 on stock. What nobody has ventured to address so far is how this mismatched letter to an obvious high grade 1886 will affect it’s price.
I don’t yet have the eye of others, but everything looks nice to me…I think with the matching numbers and all else considered, it won’t matter much at all….maybe to some folks, but not most folks.
Is it possible the mag tube is not original? I’ve never seen one split like that, even knowing how they’re made.
February 17, 2022
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I have a thought on this, Is it possible, I mean just a far fetched idea. Duplicate serial number? It is a deluxe, could there have been a miscommunication during the serialization of the tang and it wasn’t caught?
February 17, 2022
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Jeremy P said
antler1 said
I just checked the tang and stock and they all match 906XX and 906 on stock. What nobody has ventured to address so far is how this mismatched letter to an obvious high grade 1886 will affect it’s price.
I don’t yet have the eye of others, but everything looks nice to me…I think with the matching numbers and all else considered, it won’t matter much at all….maybe to some folks, but not most folks.
Is it possible the mag tube is not original? I’ve never seen one split like that, even knowing how they’re made.
Jeremy, I would dare say that seeing where the split is and what appears to be vise marks on the TD collar and forearm that the threaded mag tube got seized up and upon using a cheater pipe on the TD lever the mag tube cap spun in the tube and presto! Split it.
March 20, 2009
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The only thing that stands out to me is the fact that the caliber stamp is located on the top of the barrel. The rear sight is positioned close to the receiver as is normal on 22 inch sporting rifle barrels but on Model 1892’s The caliber stamp was rotated to the left side so that the rear sight elevator will not cover it. As you can see in the image if the elevator is extended the proof stamp and caliber stamp will be covered.
Bert, do other standard 22 inch ELW 1886 sporting rifle have the caliber stamp located on the barrel top?
I would ask for an image of the actual ledger entry for the rifle. They can sometimes be “open for interpretation” if this rifle and/or consecutive rifles have complicated entries.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
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