GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 FLAT SIDE SADDLE RING CARBINE. WINCHESTER 1866 14848 44 RF HENRY Cal. 44 RF HENRY Standard carbine with 20" rnd bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight with forearm band & two position flip rear sight, graduated 100, 300 & 500. Bbl has the 2-line Henry''s & King''s patent bbl address marking. Receiver is first type with flat front sides & flat loading gate and has a staple end ring in left side. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent brass buttplate with trap that contains an orig 3-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. Left side of buttstock shows a distinctive "Henry bump". This feature is seen only on a very few of the earliest Model 1866 arms. The 1866 is the successor to the venerable Model 1860 Henry, and for a short period of time, beginning at about Henry SN 12000 and the beginning of the Model 1866 at about SN 12000, both models were produced simultaneously. These early 1866 arms had many features of the Henry rifle including a sharp radius on the top rear edge of the receiver and the "bump" on an 1866 buttstock, which obviously was a Henry buttstock fitted to an 1866. The flat side receivers were also a carry over from the Henry rifle which resulted in a very thin forearm to accommodate this thin receiver. After numerous complaints of broken forearms Winchester redesigned the front of the receiver with a raised edge which allowed for a thicker forearm. This solved the problem. Likewise, the flat loading gate was only on the first model 1866 arms. Continuous use fatigued the spring steel, resulting in numerous breakages resulting in Winchester redesigning the loading gate to a much more sturdy product. These early 1866 arms usually saw extensive, hard service on the American frontier and literally around the world. They are rarely found with any orig finish and frequently have an altered configuration. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain most of their thinning orig brown finish with traces of blue on the front band and the forearm band having turned brown. Receiver and sideplates show light wear on the sharp edges with some light chips around the front and rear edges of the sideplates and overall retains a medium to dark mustard patina. Hammer retains most of its orig case colors, moderately to heavily faded. Lever is a brown patina. Wood is sound with light nicks & dings and retains most of its fine orig finish with distinctive Henry bump and some minor bruising from the saddle ring. Buttplate is matching patina to the receiver. Mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 49059-10 JR (15,000-35,000)