GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
FANTASTIC WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 SADDLE RING CARBINE. WINCHESTER 1866 SADDLE RING CARBINE 149908 44 Cal. .44. 20" rnd bbl comes equipped with full mag, two bbl bands. Front sight is integrated with bbl band, rear sight is standard. Brass frame has untouched dark mustard color. Brass buttplate houses a 3pc cleaning rod in butt. Saddle ring stud and ring are in place. No cal markings are present. Hammer and lever are case colored. Bbl is marked "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT. / KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENT MARCH 29, 1866 OCTOBER 16, 1866" has a "s" stamped between receiver and rear sight. Walnut stock features straight grain American walnut as does the forearm. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very Fine. Bbl has 96-97% strong blue with matching full length mag tube rated the same. Bbl bands with 60% blue with high spots turned to a pewter color. Rear bbl band is 70% blue with high spots turning to patina with pewter color. Left side of receiver with very few light scratches, sharp edges in corners on both left and ride side. All screw heads appear to be unturned and in very fine condition. Stock has a few impressions and dings, both on left and right sides. Right side of stock fits receiver very well, left side showing a gap between receiver and stock indicating possible wood shrinkage. Few slivers of wood on top channel of stock and very fine crack on right side of the tang screw. Finish on wood would indicate very little use and would rate 90% finish. Forend has light impressions, a few scratches on left and right side. Rear bbl band indicates that it has never been removed. Brass receiver has an untouched look with sideplates in place and have never been removed. Loading gate retains 96% vivid niter blue. Buttplate fits stock as well as one can imagine with no gaps or pieces of wood missing. Bore is bright and shiny. Mechanics are fine, cycles correctly. An 1866 SRC in excellent condition is a rarity as most were heavily used and one in this superb original condition represents an opportunity for the collector to upgrade. 53091-16 MS (25,000-35,000)