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LOT 3003
Incredible, Well-Documented
Exhibition Quality Engraved
Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action
Saddle Ring Carbine with Attractive
Silver Inlaid Stock Pictured and
Discussed in “Arms and Armor Annual
Vol. I” by Robert Held - Serial no. 48505,
44 Henry RF cal., 20 inch round bbl., nickel finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1870, this is an incredible example of 19th century American
firearms in the form of a highly embellished Winchester Model 1866 saddle ring carbine, one of the
most iconic American firearms in history. The ‘66 carbine is a legend of the American frontier in its own
right, with even standard configuration and non-embellished examples remaining extremely desirable among
collectors. This position as a treasured piece of Americana has made highly embellished examples like this one
a must-have for a serious public or private collection, and often form the centerpiece of an extensive collection
of high quality Winchesters or 19th century American arms. This particular carbine originally formed part of a
trio of ‘66s, all similarly embellished, and extensively discussed and pictured in “Arms and Armor Annual Vol. I” by
Robert Held, where he notes that this appears to be the only trio of Winchester 1866s known. The trio is made
up of serial number 47830, this example, serial number 48505, and serial number 49157, with Held noting that
the total range of the guns spans 1,327 production units, or approximately 14 working days by the Winchester
factory. He notes that the known history of these guns together begins in 1968, in Santiago, Chile, where they
were purchased by a European businessman and three years later traded to an American collector, before again
returning to Europe in 1978, after being purchased by a leading Continental collector. Now on its own, the
carbine nonetheless stands as a true 19th century masterpiece, separating itself significantly and beautifully
from the typical forms of engraving and embellishment seen on the Model 1866. In the previously mentioned
article, Held notes that while these guns are considered a trio, only 47830 and 49157 are truly identical, while
48505 shows similar themes but is different in pattern, and that he believes all three to have been engraved
simultaneously by three different artisans. He notes that the engraving certainly shares the German and British
influence often seen in the works of the masters Nimschke and Young, but were engraved by neither. Held
states that all three of the trio appear to have been engraved by artisans of varied skill levels, with this particular
example having been cut by the most skilled of the three, being “equal to anything ever done by Nimschke,
Young, or the Ulrichs.” Held theorizes that these carbines may have passed into the arms trade along the
Mississippi River and may have been embellished in either St. Louis or New Orleans before later
being shipped to Chile.
The engraving itself is masterfully executed,
featuring large panels of flowing floral scroll
engraving on the left and right sideplates with very
finely stippled backgrounds. There are smaller heart/
spade shaped flourishes of scrollwork on the front
left and right portions of the receiver. All of these are
surrounded by finely gadrooned borders. The incredible
scrollwork continues on the bottom and top of the receiver,
bottom of the cartridge elevator, lever, upper and lower tangs,
hammer, both barrel bands, and the buttplate tang. Both the
forearm and stock have been finely inlaid with vines of thin German
silver wire, an extremely rarely seen embellishment on any Winchester, much of which remains on
the stock wrist, while the forearm shows traces of the grooves that once contained the wire. The top of
the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, while the serial number
is marked on the lower tang behind the trigger guard. It is fitted with an integral blade front sight on the barrel
band, a two-leaf rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and
straight grip, high comb stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas of the barrel and magazine tube and
60% plus of the retailer applied nickel finish with the balance either a brown-grey patina or attractively aged
brass, a couple patches of light pitting and crisp engraving throughout. The wood is good with moderate wear, a
hairline crack in the tip of the forearm, some scattered minor dings, and retaining much of the German silver wire
inlay around the wrist with the balance what remains of the carved grooves. Mechanically functions. An incredible
piece of Winchester and 19th century American firearms art!
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
As pictured & described in
Arms and Armor Annual Vol. I by Held
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