October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Cal. 44 RF. Fine early ’66 with 24 inch ocagon barrel, German silver blade Rocky Mountain front sight and Henry style 900 yard ladder rear sight. It has full magazine tube with one magazine band and is mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, slab-sawed American walnut with straight stock and matching engraved crescent buttplate with trap. Bottom of buttstock has a sling swivel and the forend cap has a factory sling swivel. Top tang channel of buttstock is stamped with a SN all of which is obliterated except the last number which is a “5” which corresponds to the last digit of this rifle’s serial number. Inside toe of buttplate has the last four digits of this rifle’s serial number. Left side of lower tang, under the wood, is stamped “VV”. Rifle is beautifully engraved in the style of Conrad Ulrich and is similar to Winchester 1866 rifle SN 112272 as pictured in full color on p. 154 of Winchester Engraving, Wilson. While the engraving patterns are similar to those by Mr. Ulrich it is believed they are by another skilled engraver whether in the 19th or 20th century is unknown. Engraving consists of nine deep relief vignettes. Left side has a large vignette of a standing bull elk with a reclining cow & calf; a hunter with rifle and a walking bull elk in a forest scene. Right side has three additional vignettes consisting of a bull & cow elk in a forest scene, a bird dog and the goddess Diana with hunting dog. There are three small relief engraved vignettes, two at the top rear edge of the receiver of a squirrel and a hawk with a snarling dog over the top front of the receiver. The entire remainder of the receiver has full coverage intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with fine punch dot background and two small diamond & dot patterns. Both sides of the rear side panels have a hunting dog & hare over foliate patterns. There are various border patterns throughout the engraving. Bottom of carrier is engraved in a large flower blossom. Top & bottom tangs are engraved to match and buttplate tang is engraved with a small foliate arabesque pattern. Forend cap is engravedin same manner. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl & magazine tube retain about all of an aged blue/brown patina with a few minor nicks & scratches. Top flat of bbl address is re-rolled. Receiver retains traces of silver plating on the interior with the exterior a medium mustard patina. Lever & hammer are a dark brown patina with fine pitting. Wood is sound with some touchup finish on left side of wrist and shrinkage in the forearm and overall retains most of an old restored finish. Lever lock is a replacement, probably from a Model 1873. Tang screw is a replacement. Buttplate screws & bottom tang screw are all original Winchester screws. Mechanics are crisp and functional, worn bright bore with decent rifling. TDW CORRECTION: Estimate changed.