December 17, 2026 The Estate Of Whitefoord Cole II: Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Lot #1185:
(A) ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH IVORY STOCK & FOREARM
Standard carbine configuration with 20" barrel, full length magazine, integral front band/sight, and 2-position flip rear sight. Mounted with old smooth ivory straight stock and brass carbine buttplate with trap. Receiver is post-market engraved by a very skilled artisan in Nimschke style with extremely fine, highly detailed Mexican eagle on the left side surrounded by wonderfully executed, intertwined foliate and floral patterns with fine punch-dot background. Right side has nearly full coverage matching foliate and floral engraving. Engraving extends over the top and bottom of the receiver with the distinctive Nimschke flower blossom on the bottom of the carrier and a figure 8 and rosette around the timing screws. Buttplate tang is also engraved. There were a few authentic ivory stocked ’66s produced for presentation to various South and Central American politicians and many copies produced in the ensuing years, some with great skill and artistry such as this one. The ivory used appears to have great age with its myriad dark age lines and mellow patina. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from renowned Winchester historian and author, George Madis, wherein he details and verifies most of the above information. PROVENANCE: Barnes Family Collection. CONDITION: Good to very good. Barrel, magazine tube, and bands retain a cleaned gray metal patina with heavy pitting; lever and hammer are a matching patina; receiver and buttplate show rounded edges with sharp, crisp engraving and retain a dark mustard patina. Forearm has a humidity crack, buttstock has an internal crack in the wrist and a repaired separation on right side, all with myriad dark age lines and retain a wonderful mellow ivory patina. Mechanics are fine, worn dark bore with a ring about mid-barrel.