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THE WINCHESTER 1866 SURRENDERED BY SITTING BULL ON JULY 19TH, 1881 (AS SEEN IN FIREARMS OF THE AMERICAN WEST BY WORMAN) HAS SIMILAR TACK DECORATIONS
LOT 3023
Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Native American Style Tack Decoration - Serial no. 135158, 44 CF cal., 20 inch octagon bbl., blue/brass finish, walnut stock. This carbine was manufactured in 1877 and evidently saw many years of use in the American West. It has an integral blade front sight on the front barrel band, the two-line address and King’s patent marking, a two leaf rear sight, a saddle ring on the left, the serial number on the lower tang, carbine stock and forearm, and brass buttplate with cleaning rod compartment door (rod absent). The forearm has a line of tacks along each side. The buttstock has three tacks on each side of the wrist, a cross on each side, a line of tacks along the top of the comb, and a double line of tacks bordering the butt. Brass tack decoration is commonly associated with Native Americans in the West and was also used by white westerners, and the ‘66 “Yellow Boy” is known to have been popular with Native Americans from many tribes in the West in the late 19th century. A very similar cross and double line border design can be seen the Winchester ‘66 in the Smithsonian that is attributed as surrendered by Hunkpapa Lakota holy man and leader Sitting Bull to Major David H. Brotherton in 1881.
CONDITION: Good with smooth gray and brown patina on most of the iron, attractive aged patina on the brass action and buttplate, mild oxidation and pitting, general mild scratches and marks, and a very attractive “frontier” appearance overall. The shrunken, well-worn stock and forearm are also fine and have moderate dings and scratches, some splitting at the forend tip, a few absent tacks, and darker and smoother wood in the areas protected by the tacks. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3024
Sharps New Model 1859 Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine with Native American Style Brass Tack Decoration and Interesting “Side Saddle” Cartridge Holder - Serial no. 74355, 28 gauge, 22 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This carbine must have had a colorful
and interesting life. It was originally manufactured in percussion for use during the Civil War and was then converted to .50-70 c. 1869. It was subsequently modified and decorated for frontier use, including being changed to .28 gauge smoothbore. The front sight blade has been replaced with a larger brass blade, and the Lawrence patent folding ladder rear sight has a period added taller buckhorn notch added and the elevator bar removed. The action has the usual Sharps patent markings. There is also a “C” on the left and on the lever pin, “H.D.H.” on the saddle ring bar base, and a “P” on the hammer. The original carbine wood has a row of brass tacks down the forearm and a triangle pattern of brass tacks on left side of the buttstock. The right side of the buttstock has nine grooves cut diagonally into wood and a finger-woven strap attached with additional brass tacks to hold cartridges.
CONDITION: Good with an authentic “frontier issued” look overall. The metal displays a dark gray/brown patina along with some light oxidation and pitting. The wood is also good and has raised grain, some nicks and divots, some cracking in the tip of forearm, overall heavy wear, and a hand polished old patina. One of the tack tips on the strap is absent. Mechanically fine. An outstanding example of frontier Sharps carbine with a ton of “Old West” character.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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