May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Manufactured 1873. Winchester Model 1866 rifle with gunmetal brass frame and fitted with a 24 - 1/4" octagon barrel. Two piece American walnut stocks with gunmetal brass crescent buttplate with trap for cleaning rod. Blade front sight with ladder type rear with spring inlaid into barrel slot. Two line Winchester barrel address. Factory fitted with sling swivels. Frame is classically engraved with scrolls and geometric designs with panels for presentation. Elevator is likewise engraved with a geometric cross hatch design. The engraving appears to be period and possibly New York in origin. The identical engraving pattern has been observed on rifle serial number 35383 and is signed by L.D. Nimschke and is featured in the George Madis Winchester book on page 119. CONDITION: Very good with gunmetal frame having been lightly polished in the past and remaining fairly bright. Engraving is crisp. Barrel and magazine tube have attained a dove grey finish with a mixture of light patina. The American walnut stocks have had additional finish applied in the past as well as a superb professional crack repair at the wrist. No serial number was observed in the tang mortise however buttplate is numbers matching to frame. The bore is very good with strong rifling and slight frosting in the grooves. An unusual spot on upper tang indicated that the rifle at one time had a hole drilled into it but has been professionally filled may years ago and is nearly indiscernible. A very attractive engraved 1866 Winchester. TDW