GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 MUSKET WITH PROVENANCE TO THE LOUISIANA STATE MILITIA.WINCHESTER18663369044RFCal. 44 RF. 27" rnd bbl, full magazine with bayonet attached. Blue finish with gun metal receiver. Straight grain American walnut stocks. 3/4 length forend with three bbl bands. Stud front sight, ladder rear sight. Gun metal carbine-style buttplate. Sling swivels are attached. Bbl shows correct 2-line Winchester address in front of rear sight. SN is stamped on lower tang under lever to the rear of the SN "LSM" is stamped in front of the lever latch and "20/A/3" stamped behind latch. Accompanying this musket is an article written by Neill G. Carpenter telling the story of the muskets purchased by the Louisiana State Militia after the War Between the States. The markings on this musket are similar to those of the ones shown in the article. The SN of this musket is also within 600 numbers of the one pictured in article. The Louisiana State Militia was organized after the Civil War during Re-Construction days and was a branch of the Louisiana Armed Union Forces. They were armed with both the Enfield rifle and the Winchester Model 1866 musket which is confirmed by the Adjutant's Report for 1870. Manufactured in 1870, this musket appears correct in all aspects. PROVENANCE: Bruce Burtner collection. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl and magazine tube show a deep plum/brown patina with considerable roughness at the muzzle. Bbl address is worn but legible. Sights are good. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Receiver is a deep mottled brown patina with numerous handling marks overall. Tang markings are clear and sharp. The rack mark behind lever latch is slightly worn. Buttplate is also a deep mustard brown patina. Hammer and lever both show a mottled silver/grey patina. Stocks are very good, slightly undersized and show numerous handling marks commensurate with age and service of musket. Bayonet is unmarked and retains traces of blue in the flute. Upper tang screw is replacement.Mechanics are fine. An opportunity to obtain a very desirable Winchester 66 musket that saw service in the state of Louisiana after the War Between the States. 52914-1 TEP (4,500-6,500)