GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
FACTORY ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 OCTAGON FULL MAGAZINE RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1866 36480 44 RF Cal. 44RF. 24" oct bbl. Full magazine. Blue finish with silver plated gun metal receiver, buttplate, and forend cap. Rifle is engraved in the Ulrich style with scroll motif and geometric patterns. Receiver has blank panels on both sideplates. There is a dogs head worked into the engraving on left sideplate in front of panel. Engraving shows a very fine punch dot background with borders. Buttplate is engraved on tang with a floral decoration around screw with a splay running toward heel. Forend cap is also scroll engraved on either side with a fine punch dot background. Bbl shows standard 2-line Winchester address in front of rear-sight. Left side of upper tang shows the initials "J.U." engraved. This mark has never been observed by this cataloger, but it is sharp and clear and shows orig silver plate over top. An attribution to Winchester factory engraver John Ulrich can be made. Assembly mark "O" is stamped on lower tang in front of "XXX". There is also an inspector mark "S" stamped in front of other marks. SN is stamped under lever behind trigger. SN is bordered by engraving. A small "B" is stamped behind SN. Stocks are of the Winchester manufacturer, but do not exhibit an "XXX" grade of wood. Assembly no. "804" is stamped in the upper tang mortise of stock. "SG61" is stamped into right side of buttstock. A Winchester sling swivel is mounted on bottom of buttstock. Inside toe of buttplate is stamped with the last 4-digits of SN. Forend is also straight grain American walnut, with some figure. Forend cap mounts a factory sling swivel. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl and magazine tube show generous traces of blue finish, blending with a smooth plumb-brown patina, with high point wear and a few scratches toward muzzle end. Bbl address is sharp. Sights are very good. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Receiver is a mustard-yellow patina overall with slight traces of silver plate finish in protected area around the lever latch. Engraving is sharp and unpolished. Loading gate shows considerable traces of fire-blue finish. SN is sharp. Hammer has a deep plumb color with traces of silvered out case color on both sides. Lever is a deep plumb-brown patina overall. Tang markings are sharp. Stocks are a Winchester product, but came off of another rifle. Buttstock is slightly undersized. Buttstock shows handling marks overall with a repair to toe and an age crack on right side. Stocks show an old varnish finish. Forestock has minor handling marks an old re-varnish finish. Crescent buttplate has a mustard-brown patina with generous traces of silver plate, especially on right side and underneath. Buttplate has been lightly cleaned. Forend cap shows a mustard-yellow patina with no trace of silver plate. Sling swivels are good. 50506-38 TEP (17,500-27,500)