1012
Rare, Highly Desirable and Important Factory Engraved Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with
Currency:USD
Category:Firearms & Military
Start Price:30,000.00 USD
Estimated At:75,000.00 - 95,000.00 USD
SOLD
70,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2012 Sep 08 @ 09:14UTC-5 : EST/CDT
Did you win this lot?
A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Estimate: $75000 - 95000
Accompanied by a letter from world famous author and firearms expert R.L. Wilson letter this is a scarce example of a factory engraved Winchester model 1866 lever action rifle that was manufactured in 1869. As Wilson writes "The model 1866 lever action was the first of the companies products not only to carry the Winchester name, but to excel in the profusion of embellishments, and the quality and quantity of decorated arms. The first 1866's bearing factory engraving appears in the early 27,000 serial number range which is approximately the same time the Ulrich's: Conrad F, John, and Herman all migrated to New Haven from Hartford. While the Ulrich's engraving patterns show influences of Gustave Young they developed patterns, styles and techniques of their own now synonymous with the Winchester name." This rifle serial number 38,583, followed soon after the earliest example of factory engraving 1866's and many of the panel scenes exhibited on this rifle can be traced through already published images and text of other factory engraved Winchester rifles. Two particular examples can be viewed in: Winchester Engraving by Wilson. The first appears on page 77, see serial number 38594 which is exactly 11 numbers off the rifle offered for sale. The work on this rifle is attributed to Conrad F. Ulrich and compares closely to No. 38,583. The second appears on page 80, serial number 38,586, note it's only three numbers off the rifle offered here. Also attributed to an Ulrich, the panel scenes, in particular the "zig-zag" and scalloped border compare nearly identical. For another compare reference The Winchester Book by Midas, pg 116. This rifle serial number 38,589, falls only six numbers away. These two rifle also compare nearly identical and Midas states: "because a number of guns would be chosen for engraving at one time, certain serial series of many Winchester models will have a number of engraved guns. In the 35,000 and 36,000 series we find a comparatively large number of model 66's. This is also true in the 38,000 series." Manufactured in 1869, we can now attribute the engraving of this rifle to the hand of John Ulrich. The rifle has a octagon barrel, full-length magazine with brass forearm cap, frame, and crescent buttplate. The barrel has a dovetail mounted sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a Henry style folding leaf rear sight with 900 yard center notch. Factory sling swivels are mounted on the forearm cap and stock. The stock and forearm are walnut with a varnished finish. The forearm is highly figured while the stock has straight grain. The top of the barrel 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, "38583" is stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger. The frame, forearm cap and buttplate are decorated with factory engraving. The engraving is probably the work of master engraver John Ulrich. The engraving features bold Germanic scrollwork on a fine punch-dot background and has a duck and a hound's head in panels on the right side of the frame and a bear's head and an inscription plate on the left side of the frame. A wolf's head is engraved in the scrollwork on the right side of the frame below the hammer. The scrollwork and borders extend to the upper tang and top of the frame, the lower tang and cartridge elevator, both sides of the forearm cap and the heel of the buttplate. An engraved banner surrounds the serial number. As Wilson concludes "serial number 38,583 occupies a special place within the evolution of Winchester, coming from those early Model 1866's which were instrumental in establishing the reputation and image of Winchester firearms in the United States of America and beyond throughout the world.
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 rimfire
Finish: blue/gold
Grips:
Serial Number: 38583
Condition: Fine. The barrel and magazine have a mottled, gray-brown patina; the surfaces of the barrel and magazine are smooth and the edges are sharp. The barrel markings are crisp. The hammer and lever have a smooth, silver-gray patina with some scattered age spotting. The brass frame, forearm cap and buttplate have traces of gold with the balance an attractive untouched patina. The highly detailed, impeccably executed engraving is crisp and deep. The stock and forearm have moderate handling wear. The stock retains half of the original varnish finish; the forearm shows more wear and has some of the varnish finish in protected areas. This is a highly desirable example of a Winchester Model 1866 rifle with factory engraving by one of the foremost 19th Century engravers.
More Information
Auction Location:
7819 42nd St West, Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, United States
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20.5% |
Additional Fees:
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1. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. The following conditions of sale make up the entire terms and conditions on which items listed in our catalog, on the internet web site and addendum sheets will be offered for sale or sold by Rock Island Auction Company (known hereafter as “RIAC”). All bidders who participate by bidding in this auction agree to the terms and condition of sale and agree to be bound by same. Any notices, posted or oral during the sale, are also part of our condition of sale agreement. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions of sale. The purchaser’s rights and our respective rights and obligations hereunder are governed by Illinois law. By bidding at our auction whether in person or by agent, sealed bid, telephone bid, via the internet or other means, the buyer or bidder agree that the contract created by these conditions of sale is made and performed in the County of Rock Island, State of Illinois and further agrees that should any dispute arise from this contract the sole and exclusive jurisdiction for contractual disputes is Rock Island County. Auctioneer is not responsible for any errors of the buyer including but not limited to the buyer bidding on the wrong lot.
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DISPUTES UNDER THIS CONTRACT
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3/14/2012 8:56:55 AM