October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
Octagon barrel is equipped with a half magazine. Sling swivel attached to bottom of magazine cap. Receiver is brass with sharp edges all around. Both left and right sideplates look as thought they have not been removed. Loading gate is a bright nitre blue. Hammer, lever and trigger are case colored. Upper tang sports a mid-range tang sight. Stock is standard grade American walnut as the lower tang indicates no X's. It is equipped with a cheek piece, which is very rare on a 1866 rifle. Buttstock is numbered to the gun, as well as buttplate and all numbers match. CONDITION: The octagon barrel is a homogeneous blend of blue-brown patina with freckling showing through. Brass has never been touched and remains a rich, mustard color. 50% nitre blue still present on loading gate. Case colors on lever have toned to a rich patina. Hammer has traces of original case colors. The original Winchester tang sight retains 60% original blue, starting to turn. Stock has a few minor, light impressions but is near mint condition overall, proud to metal, with no cracks or chips of any kind. Forend is excellent with a few minor abrasions. Screw heads retains generous amounts of nitre blue and slots are fairly concentric. Rear sight slot has been filled with a brass plug. Legends are sharp. Action is crisp. Bore exhibits strong lands with sharp edges. Grooves are frosty with some minor abrasions, nothing serious. Bottom of the octagon barrel has the tube channel that was never cut for retainer (proper). Simply a marvelous example of a very scarce special order Winchester 1866 rifle.