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Both the buttplate tang and the forearm cap have flourishes of floral scroll engraving. The top
flat of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, partially
obscured by the rear sight. The serial number is marked on the lower tang behind the trigger and
behind Nimschke’s previously mentioned signature. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight
and a replacement, elevation adjustable No. 22 type notch rear sight fitted backwards, and a pair of factory
sling swivels on the bottom of the stock and forearm cap. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock
with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing a four-piece cleaning rod.
Included with this rifle
are two letters, dated
2014 and 2019, from
the N.R.A. National
Firearms Museum
stating that this rifle
was once displayed in
the museum in their
“American West: 1850-
1900” exhibit, more
specifically in the “Guns
That Won The West:
Colt & Winchester”
case. Also included
are two additional
letters from November
2004 from Ventura Associates,
stating that the recipient had entered the N.R.A. “Charlton
Heston Commemorative Rifle Drawing Sweepstakes”, and a follow-up letter stating that the recipient had won the grand prize,
which was this rifle. It appears from these letters, that the winner of the rifle subsequently loaned the rifle to the National Firearms
Museum to be put on display. Charlton Heston began his acting career in 1950 and in 1956 starred in “The Ten Commandments” as
Moses, which became his breakout role. In 1959, Heston starred in “Ben-Hur”, winning one of the eleven Oscars the film won, his being
for best actor. He went on to play roles in a plethora of movies, with Roger Ebert noting that “Heston made at least three movies that
almost everybody eventually sees: ‘Ben-Hur’, ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Planet of the Apes’.” In 2003 he was awarded the Presidential
Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. This rifle is documented by the previously mentioned letters and is pictured being
proudly held aloft by Hollywood icon Charlton Heston during his famous “Cold, Dead Hands” speech at the 2003 N.R.A. National Convention.
This was the last such speech delivered by Heston and was the final year that he was president of the N.R.A., after serving in that roll since
1998. Heston famously ended this speech, like many of his speeches at the convention, with a shortened version of the Second Amendment
rallying cry, “I’ll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands”.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish on the barrel, brown patina mixed with antiqued finish on the forward magazine tube, and
traces of the original gold finish in sheltered areas with the balance thinning to a smooth brown patina or attractively aged brass, a couple small
patches of light pitting, and a few scattered minor dings. The revarnished wood is also fine with some scattered minor dings, scratches, and scuffs.
Mechanically excellent. A very attractive Winchester Model 1866 that stands as not only a signed masterpiece of the legendary Louis D. Nimschke,
but also an tangible symbol of one of the most iconic speeches given at the N.R.A. National Convention, which was delivered by one of the most
revered presidents of the association, Charlton Heston!
Provenance: The Charlton Heston Collection; The NRA National Firearms Museum; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 40,000 - 60,000
Similar engraving patterns are
illustrated in L.D. Nimschke:
Firearms Engraver by Wilson
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