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wear and some light spotting above the forend. The loading gate and screws also retain nearly 80% of their original bright niter blue finish. The lever retains 75% plus of the original blue finish. The hammer retains 90% of the attractive original case colors. The gilt brass frame, forend cap, and buttplate retain 85% of the original gold gilt with some fading mainly on the frame and attractive aged patina on the exposed brass. The wood is very fine and has the noted attractive figure on the forend, a few minor scratches and dings, strong original finish, and nice grain. The firing pins and extractor were removed long ago reportedly to prevent the gun from being used, but the rifle otherwise remains mechanically fine. This is a beautiful Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle and very well may have been used by the factory as an exhibition or presentation piece given the extent and quality of the engraving and the special gilt finish. If not, it must have been ordered by a very discerning and well-to-do buyer who wanted the best of the best.
Provenance: The Richard Seelinger Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 95,000 - 160,000
It is fitted with a full-length, blued magazine tube. The loading gate and screws are niter blue,
the hammer is casehardened, and the lever and sling swivel mounts are blued. The upper tang is tapped for mounting a peep sight and has screws in place. The forearm has very attractive figure concentrated towards the tip, and the straight wrist stock has attractive grain and contains a takedown cleaning rod in the butt trap.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The engraving and markings remain sharp throughout. The barrel and magazine tube retains 85% plus of the bright original blue finish and exhibit only some minor edge
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