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LOT 82
Early Production
Winchester Model 1866
Lever Rifle with Desirable Henry’s Patent Barrel Marking - Serial no. 20592, 44
RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Model 1866 was essentially a Henry Rifle with improvements invented and patented by
Winchester shop Superintendent Nelson King in 1866. The side loading gate, modified magazine and new walnut forearm eliminated the primary defects
in the Henry rifle and created the lever action rifle associated with the name “Winchester”. This Model 1866 rifle was manufactured in 1869 and features
the desirable early production barrel legend: “HENRY’S-PATENT-OCT. 16. 1860/KING’S-PATENT-MARCH 29. 1866”. The full serial number “20592” is stamped behind the
trigger. The partial serial number “0592” is stamped on the stock inlet and “592” is stamped on the buttplate. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight, a folding ladder
rear sight, and a single upper tang screw. Sling swivels are attached to the underside of the forend cap and stock. The stock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate. Includes a single segment to the four
piece cleaning rod. The ‘66 secured Winchester’s place in the annals of the West and launched a long line of successful Winchester lever actions that remain popular to this day and still retain the basic
form of the ‘66. It was one of the earliest and most widely used repeating rifles in the American West and saw use in conflicts over land, gold, and other resources on the frontier in the second half of the
19th century in the hands of settlers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, and hunters.
CONDITION: Very good displaying authentic use. The period refinished barrel and magazine tube have a pleasing smooth dark brown patina with areas of spotting associated with being in a challenging environment. The
brass has an attractive appearance. The receiver has tight fitting side plates. The wood shows similar working gun character with a couple stress lines on the wrist at the receiver (left side) and a forearm worn from a lifetime spent in the hand. Mechanically excellent. A desirable Henry’s patent marked Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle with a story or two to tell.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 83
Historic Villista General Rafael Buelna’s
Colt Model 1878 Double Action Revolver with Attractive Incised
and Inscribed Grips - Serial no. 6558, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique
ivory grips. Manufactured in 1881, with a blade front sight, top strap groove rear sight, “45 CAL” on
the left side of the trigger guard, “H 5 5 B” on the rear of the cylinder, “79” on the loading gate, serial
number at the toe, a period nickel plated finish, “B” and “6W” under the left grip, a lanyard loop on the butt, and carved grips with an “RB” monogram and “Gl. Rafael Buelna Estado de Sinaloa” inscribed on the left panel and a liberty cap and a golden eagle, snake, and cactus motif based on the Coat of Arms of Mexico on the right panel.Information on General Rafael Buelna Tenorio (1890-1924) accompanies the revolver. He
was kicked out of school for demonstrating against the Porfirian governor in 1909 and led the local Democratic Club supporting Madero and leading and reporting on protests. He joined the Mexican Revolution as a combatant by pulling a pistol on his rental driver and then taking the hijacked car
loaded with arms ammunition with his friend Enrique Estrada to Tepic and became a colonel
under Martin Espinoza. After Madero rose to power, he returned to school before rejoining the ever-changing Mexican Revolution in 1913 as a general in Pancho Villa’s famous Division del
Norte and captured Tepic and became the area’s political leader and also captured Rosario that
same year. He moved to the United States after Villa’s defeat by Obregon in 1915. He returned
in 1919, but he was soon brought back into the fray when President Carranza attempted to
hold onto power after the end of his term. He captured Lazaro Cardenas del Rio and then
released him and was killed in an ambush in 1924 during the Delahuertista Rebellion. He is well-remembered and honored in his home state of Sinaloa and was the subject of the 2013
film “Ciudadano Buelna” (Citizen Buelna) directed by Felipe Cazals. The General Rafael Buelna
Heliport in Mocorito, Sinaloa, Mexico, is named for him.
CONDITION: Very fine with 98% plus period re-plated nickel remaining, traces of the barrel
markings, mostly distinct markings elsewhere, replaced cylinder pin, and minor marks and
scratches. The grips are also very fine and have crisp, beautifully executed inscriptions and carving, attractive natural grain and aged tones, and minor age lines. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 85
LOT 84
Documented Durango,
Mexico Shipped Colt Bisley
Model Frontier Six Shooter Single
Action Army Revolver with Unique
Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no.
248509, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, bone grips.
These Bisley revolvers were designed by Colt
with accuracy and target shooting in mind, two
traits that also made them widely popular with
those who depended on them for protection. Those traits,
along with the caliber of this example, would have made it an
ideal sidearm for a gunslinger, lawman, or rancher of the American West, who could pair it with a Winchester lever action in the same caliber. Manufactured in 1904, the top of the barrel has the single-line address, while the Bisley Model and Frontier Six Shooter markings are on the left. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a unique pair of smooth bone grips with carved borders and German silver butt plates. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to F. Wilmanns & Co. in Durango, Mexico on 10 May 1904. CONDITION: Good, retains faint traces of the original blue finish and case colors, the balance showing mostly a smooth grey patina, typical of a revolver that saw significant frontier use, and some scattered small patches of light pitting. The unique period replacement grips are fine with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically fine. An interesting Mexico shipped Bisley Model Frontier Six Shooter that has the look of a frontier sidearm!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action
Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 31589,
44-40 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1879
as a Second Model with the dust cover guide retained with two screws and a dust cover with the “thumb print” grip section. These carbines were
incredibly popular in the American West due to their incredible firepower in a small, light, and mobile package. Carbines such as this were a favorite
weapon of outlaw, ranchers, lawmen, settlers, and Native Americans for many decades, both for self protection and sustenance. The barrel has the two-line
address and King’s patent marking. The front sight is integral to the front barrel band and the rear sight is made up of two leafs. The left side of the receiver has
a saddle ring. The action is fitted with a special order set trigger. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873.” The serial number is on the lower tang. Mounted with a carbine
forearm and straight grip buttstock. The stock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% of the period retailer applied nickel plating, perhaps requested by a lawman or outlaw desiring some unique personalization, with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The wood is also fine with minor dings and scratches, typical of a Western working gun. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
83
General Rafael Buelna