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LOT 1082
Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with Desirable Henry
Patent Barrel Address - Serial no. 19686, 44 RF cal., 24 inch octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The legendary Winchester Model 1866 or
“improved Henry” 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. It is the direct descendant
of the Henry rifle and traces its lineage back to earlier repeaters like the Volcanic. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Henry’s patent/King’s improvement patent marking. The rifle is fitted with a replacement dovetail blade front sight
and a modified rear sight, all done during the rifle’s service life to fit the needs of the owner. Stock sling swivel removed and the forend cap has been pinned, all traits of a beloved working gun that served its owner proudly. Smooth forearm and straight grip stock with trapdoor crescent brass buttplate numbered “19686” (cleaning rod not included). Buttstock screw is stripped on lower tang and cannot be removed to inspect serial number.
CONDITION: Fair, displaying alluring, authentic “frontier issued” use with the barrel and magazine tube having an untouched smooth brown patina with traces of original blue finish in the protected areas and the brass having an attractive mellow aged appearance. The receiver has tight fitting sideplates. The wood is also good showing working gun character with absent material from the forearm and a couple stress cracks in the wrist, proving this Winchester has a story to tell! Mechanically fine. A Winchester Model 1866 with the been there, done that appearance of a rifle that saw true period use.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1083
Antique Winchester Model 1873
Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .44-40 W.C.F. - Serial no. 240681B, 44 WCF cal., 24 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Winchester Model 1873 rifles are known as one of the “guns that won the West”, and these rifles in .44 W.C.F. were very popularly
paired with a Colt Frontier Six Shooter in the same caliber, so that only one type of ammunition needed to be sourced and carried on the frontier. Manufactured
in 1887 as a Third Model with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. Two-line address/King’s patent marking and “44 W.C.F.” on the top
barrel flat, model designation on the upper tang, serial number on the lower tang, and “44 CAL.” on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. Fitted with a blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. Mounted with a smooth forearm and a straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included). The included Cody Firearms Records Office serial confirmation states the rifle was received in the warehouse on June 14, 1887 and shipped the next day with a round barrel in .44 caliber and plain trigger.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina, typical of a well-cared for Western working gun. 20% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The wood is also fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a rifle that has the look of a cared for frontier companion!
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1084 Sharps Model 1874 Single Shot Rifle - Serial no. 155031, 44 cal., 32 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle from c. 1874-1876 has a dovetailed blade front sight, Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight, the one-line Hartford barrel address, “CALIBRE 44” on top at the breech, adjustable double set triggers, a pewter forend cap, smooth stock and forearm, and only a rear sling swivel. The barrel carries the matching serial number, “155031,” under the forearm. The Sharps Model 1874 was a significant firearm in the post-Civil War American West and was especially favored for its long range accuracy. CONDITION: Good with an untouched genuine frontier used appearance displaying a mix of dark brown patina, some mild oxidation and pitting, and moderate overall wear. The wood is mostly good and has some divots, small cracks and slivers, and moderate overall wear including a darkened butt. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1085
Scarce Blued Finish Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army
Revolver - Serial no. 761, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. While limited in production to only approximately 25,000-30,000 revolvers between
1875-1889, many of these “Improved Army” or “Frontier Army” revolvers saw hard use in
the hands of Native Americans, settlers, and lawmen in the West. The Model 1875 was
Remington’s answer to the Colt Single Action Army and is arguably a more solid firearm with
fewer main components than Colt’s revolver, but it simply suffered in the famous “Peacemaker’s”
shadow. Handling one of these revolvers, it is easy to see that a gunslinger in the American West that truly knew their firearms might prefer one of these over the hype of the Colt Single Action Army, especially given they could be just
as easily paired with a Winchester Model 1873 as a Colt Frontier Six Shooter. “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION.N.Y. U.S.A.” marked on top of the barrel. There is a lanyard ring and stud fitted to the butt. The caliber marking “44” (faint) for
.44 W.C.F. is on the lower portion of the left grip panel. These revolvers were generally finished in nickel, and it is not common to encountered blued examples such as the one offered here.
CONDITION: Very good displaying “frontier issue” character with traces of original blue finish remaining in the sheltered areas. The revarnished grips are good and show similar working gun character. Mechanically functions, but cylinder spins freely on half cock.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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