GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
FINE EARLY WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH HENRY MARKED BARREL. WINCHESTER 1866 20390 44 RF HENRY Cal. 44 RF Henry. Standard Grade rifle with 24-1/4" oct bbl, full magazine, globe front sight with post and a reproduction 1st model 1000 yd Henry ladder rear sight. Top flat of bbl is marked with 2-line Henry's patent and King's patent address. Receiver is "gun metal" (bronze or brass). Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and rifle crescent buttplate. Bottom of buttstock and forend cap have factory sling swivels. SN was observed on bottom of lower tang between the trigger and hammer spring tension screw. Last 4 digits of matching serial number are also found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Top tang does not have the second wood screw nor is it drilled and tapped for tang sight. These features were not standard and early '66s can be found with or without these screws. Receiver on this rifle is 2nd type with sloping radius on the top rear. Magazine tube is orig type with threaded plug. These early 66 rifles were in great demand on the American frontier and usually saw extreme hard service with frontiersmen of all walks of life and on both sides of the law. They are rarely found in orig configuration and high orig finish. CONDITION: Good, all matching. Bbl and magazine tube retain most of a smooth, clean artificially aged blue brown patina showing sharp edge wear and a cleaned spot over the address area. Receiver and side plates show evidence of having been draw filed a very long time ago and now have a fine mustard patina. Side plates show no nicks or dings on top or bottom edges and fit extremely well. Buttplate is matching patina with some stock finish overruns. Forearm has a few light nicks and scratches and the buttstock a series of heavier scratches on both sides, otherwise wood is sound and retains most of an old refinish. Mechanics are crisp. Strong sharp bore with good shine and scattered pitting. 52506-16 JRL (10,000-12,500) W/ROD