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The top barrel
is lightly marked
“HENRY’S PATENT-OCT.
16. 1860/KING’S PATENT-
MARCH 29. 1866” ahead of the
rear sight. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight,
and Vernier tang sight. Sling swivels are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttock. The buttstock is fitted with a
trapdoor crescent buttplate and the compartment contains a four piece cleaning rod. These rifles generally saw hard use and we rarely catalog
examples like this one in high condition. This Model 1866 is will be a standout piece of Winchester legacy in any lever action collection.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 75% original blue finish with mild pitting visible on the front of the barrel, near the muzzle, thinning
to brown on the balance. The loading gate and lever retains strong traces of original nitre blue. The very fine brass has a very attractive mellow aged appearance.
The receiver has tight fitting sideplates. The wood is fine with a few gouges and dings and scratches throughout. Mechanically excellent. A well preserved early
production, Henry patent marked Winchester Model 1866 rifle.
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
LOT 6
Very Fine Early Production Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with Desirable Henry Patent Marked Barrel - Serial no.
20893, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1869. 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 traces its lineage back to earlier repeaters like the Volcanic. These rifles are one of the most iconic weapons of the American
West. The direct descendant of the iconic Henry rifle, they bridged the gap between the Henry and the Winchester Model 1873. The Model
1866 was highly prized on the western frontier for its rapid firepower in comparison to many single shot arms of the time, and was used by
people in all walks of life. Today the Model 1866 is highly prized by collector’s, especially like this early production rifle with the highly sought
after Henry patent marking.
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