GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
SCARCE EARLY HENRY MARKED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1866 16124 44 RF Cal. 44 RF Henry. Standard rifle with 24-1/4" oct bbl, full magazine, Beach's style combination front sight, 900 yd Henry ladder rear sight and a thick base sporting tang sight with 4" staff. Top tang has had a 2nd hole drilled & tapped for the tang sight. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap. Buttstock & forend cap have factory sling swivels which contain an orig brown leather sling with brass buckle & stud. Left side of lower tang, under the wood, is marked with the serial number and "RV". Matching serial number is inside toe of buttplate. The top tang channel of the buttstock has been altered to accommodate the 2nd screw which obliterated the serial number that would have been found there. However there is no doubt in this catalogers mind that this stock is orig to this rifle. The wood to metal fit around the receiver & buttplate are near perfect. Top flat of bbl has the 2-line Henry's & King's patent address. These early 1866 rifles were the successor to the Model 1860 Henry rifle which is serial numbered well into the 14,000 serial range. The model 1866 production began probably in the late 12,000 serial range with limited production until about 14,000. Various publications indicate that the Model 1866 production began at around 12,475 which would indicate this rifle was made in 1868 at a time of the Great Westward Expansion of Manifest Destiny when any repeating rifle was in great demand on the frontier. Those rifles are rarely ever found with high orig finish. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain 25-30% thin orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas with the balance turning plum; receiver & side plates are extraordinary, showing very light sharp edge wear and retaining a wonderful, smooth, even dark mustard patina. From all appearances the side plates may have never been removed. Left side plate has one small scratch. Stock has a small crack in the toe with bruises on the left side by the sling swivel, otherwise wood is sound and shows normal handling nicks & scratches and retains about 75% light added finish. There are a total of three holes in the top tang and plate is soldered to the tang. Mechanics are crisp; bright shiny bore with one tiny spot of fine pitting. 50506-35 JR18 (20,000-30,000)