GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1866 37678 44 RF HENRY Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4" oct bbl, gold-washed Beach's combination front sight and a 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight with slide stop screw, may be a reproduction and a thick base sporting rear sight with 4" staff. Mounted with very nicely figured uncheckered shell grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap that contains a reproduction 4-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. Bottom of buttstock & forend cap have factory sling swivels. Receiver, forend cap and buttplate tang are engraved in L. D. Nimschke patterns consisting of nearly full coverage, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with fine pearled background. Left side plate has the vignette of a running stag & hound with trees and the spurious initials "LDN". Right side is engraved in similar but tighter scrolls with the inscription panel on sideplate engraved "HENRY GEORGE / SAN FRANCISCO". Both front sight panels are engraved to match with counter-point open areas and all is surrounded by fine border patterns. Top of receiver, top tang, bottom tang, sides of forend cap and buttplate tang are engraved to match. Bottom of the receiver and bottom of carrier are engraved in Nimschke patterns with spurious initials "LDN" on a ribbon between timing screws. SN is found on bottom tang and inside top tang channel of buttstock with last 4 digits of matching SN inside toe of buttplate. The engraver is unknown, however, several similarly engraved Model 1866 Winchester and Henry rifles have been observed with the identical engraving patterns. PROVENANCE: The Spiropoulos Estate Collection. CONDITION: About fine, matching as noted. Bbl & magazine tube retain most of a bright restored finish with nicks & scratches on the sharp edges and sharp edge wear. Receiver, forend cap and buttplate have sharp edges and show a medium mustard patina. Stock has a repaired crack through the wrist with wood fill in the crack area, at the tip of bottom & top tangs and overall the wood has a fine modern finish. Extractor is broken, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with good shine and moderate pitting. 49891-10 JR (6,000-12,000)