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LOT 32
Exceptional Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 121351, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This
Model Winchester 1866 rifle was manufactured in 1873. The rifle has a blued full octagon barrel, full length magazine, and loading gate; brass forearm cap, frame, and
crescent buttplate; and casehardened hammer and lever. The stock and forearm are straight grain black walnut with a varnish finish. Factory sling swivels are mounted
on the forearm cap and stock. The barrel has a dovetail mounted, sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a second style, folding leaf rear sight with
external retaining spring. The buttplate has a hinged trapdoor, and the butt trap contains the correct four-piece, jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The top barrel
flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN.CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.”
ahead of the rear sight. The serial number is stamped behind the trigger.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The blue finish on the barrel and magazine has faded to a plum brown patina. The barrel has some light edge wear and some scattered patches
of surface discoloration. The loading gate retains most of the niter blue finish. The hammer and lever have a silver-gray patina with traces of the original casehardened finish. The
exceptionally fine forearm cap, frame, and crescent buttplate have a very attractive, deep, un-touched dark, attractive patina. The side plate joints are tight. The barrel markings
and serial number are sharp. The stock and forearm are both fine with moderate handling wear and most of the original varnish. Handling wear is limited to a few very minor
dents and scratches. The loading gate is jammed, but the action functions. This is an exceptionally fine, original example of a Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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