GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE ELABORATELY ENGRAVED BY CONRAD ULRICH WITH DELUXE WOOD.WINCHESTER18664603844 RF HENRYCal. 44 RF Henry. Spectacular Conrad Ulrich engraved '66 rifle with 24-1/4" oct bbl, full magazine, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight and replacement full buckhorn, Kentucky rifle style rear sight with fine "V" notch. Mounted with very highly figured, about 4-X uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate that has a trap. Bottom of stock and forend cap have factory sling swivels. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with a "G" and "VXXX". Left side of top tang is marked "20". Top tang channel of buttstock has the entire matching SN and inside toe of buttplate has last four digits of matching SN. Receiver, forend cap and buttplate tang are elaborately engraved by Conrad F. Ulrich with full coverage on both sides of receiver. Left side has the rectangular vignette of a hunter and his dog with a buck deer in the background all set in a forest scene. Left front side flat is engraved with a walking bear set in a forest scene. Right sideplate has the round vignette depicting a hunter holding his firearm with a bird dog on point in the foreground all set in a detailed forest scene. Right front side flat depicts a buck deer standing in a meadow nibbling leaves off a tree. Both sides of receiver and sideplates are completely surrounded by very detailed and nicely shaded foliate arabesque patterns that have a very fine pearled background and Mr. Ulrich's typical scalloped borders. One scroll on the left side terminates in a flower blossom with another on the right side and a small scroll at the right rear that terminates in a dog's head. Top of receiver is deeply engraved in foliate and geometric patterns with fine zig-zag borders and very fine pearled background. Top and bottom tangs are engraved to match. Bottom of receiver and bottom of carrier are likewise engraved. Forend cap is also engraved to match with matching scalloped border. Buttplate tang is engraved in similar pattern to that found on top of receiver ring. Altogether, an incredibly beautiful example of the engraver's art. This rifle, is pictured, both sides, and identified by SN on pg. 107 of Winchester Engraving, Wilson, with credit to the Ivan B. Hart collection. This rifle is similarly engraved to several other 1866 rifles and carbines engraved and signed by Conrad Ulrich, although none of them are fitted with such a highly figured stock and forearm. PROVENANCE: Ivan B. Hart collection; Prestigious and lifetime Parker and Winchester collection of Dr. Tom Bouwkamp. CONDITION: Good, all matching. No orig finish remains, with the bbl and magazine tube a smooth artificially aged grey brown patina with a few spots of light rust over the forearm area around the rear sight. Receiver and sideplates show moderate to heavy wear with the engraving still mostly sharp and clear. Lever and hammer are matching patina to the bbl. Forearm has three grain checks and there is a hairline back to top tang in the buttstock, otherwise wood is sound with a few light nicks and bruises and retains a smooth dark refinish. Mechanics are fine. Worn dark bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 52170-28 JRL (65,000-95,000)