GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
RARE 1ST MODEL FLAT-SIDE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 SADDLE RING CARBINE.WINCHESTER18661495144Cal. 44RF Henry. Standard grade carbine with 20"; bbl, early style full mag with integral front band/sight and very early, original, 2-position flip rear sight. Receiver is 1st style with flat front edges vs. the later style that had a fluted thicker front edge which allowed for a thicker, more durable forearm. Loading gate is also flat 1st style and there is a staple and ring in the left side of receiver. Other early features include the early coarse checkered hammer and the correct short 3-segment cleaning rod in buttstock. It is mounted with straight grain American walnut with crescent brass buttplate with trap. Bbl marking of this carbine has the early 2-line patent markings "HENRY'S - PATENT OCT. 16. 1860 / KING'S - PATENT - MARCH 29. 1866". Left side of lower tang is marked with the SN, which is also found in the top tang channel on the buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Left side of lower tang also has a tiny assembly no. "1630", which also appears on various internal parts. This is a fine "as found" early '66 carbine made in first year of production and among the first 1500 guns that were inter-mixed with Henry rifle production. These guns generally saw hard use and are rarely found in such nice, unmolested orig and complete condition. PROVENANCE: Ex-Rob Kassab Collection. CONDITION: Good to very good, all matching. All of the steel parts retain a smooth, even, dark plum/brown, attic patina with a few scattered spots of light pitting. There are traces of thinning blue finish on bbl in protected areas and traces of case colors on lever and hammer in protected areas. Receiver and buttplate retain a wonderful dark mustard colored patina with a few light scratches and dings on the sideplates. Top right sideplate has old pry marks that do not effect the overall aesthetics. Receiver shows light sharp edge wear. Stock is sound and solid with small dents, dings and the normal cosmetic bruising. There is about a 1" very thin sliver missing on right side at lower tang which is currently filled in with flexible wood putty. Stock and forearm retain most of an old applied varnish with a fine hand-worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Strong, sharp bore with well defined rifling. 50643-1 JS (15,000-25,000)