Released in 1893-1894, the .50 Express cartridge was one of the most powerful commercial cartridges available at the time, and it quickly proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Winchester rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. Demand for the cartridge in the United States was low however, and relatively few of these rifles were manufactured. The Model 1886 in .50 Express was only produced in limited numbers, especially when compared to the smaller calibers. Today Winchesters in .50 Express are a highly sought after collectible. Examples in any condition are proving difficult to find. This example was manufactured in 1918 and is currently chambered in .50-110 caliber (no factory records available to confirm this). The rifle is fitted with a Marble Sheard beaded blade front sight and a three leaf (one fixed and two folding) rear sight. The upper left flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/patent dates marking as well as "50-110" at the breech. The top of the barrel and receiver are stamped with a Winchester factory oval proof at the breech, which is double struck over the faint remnants of another. The lower tang has the serial number, and the upper tang is marked with the three-line model/trade mark information. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.

Exceptionally fine as factory refurbished, rebarreled. The barrel, magazine tube, and forend cap retain 90% factory blue finish, the frame and bolt retain 90% blue finish, and the hammer and lever retain 70% blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The upper tang is mostly a smooth brown patina. There is some pitting on and around the rear sight. 90% niter blue remains on the loading gate. The buttplate has gray appearance with some pitting cleaned on the tang. The wood is very fine with slight chipping at the upper tang and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A highly sought after, well-cared for Winchester Model 1886 .50-110 Express rifle.