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Lot #11

Lot 10: Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine

Exceptional Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: December 8, 2023

Lot 10: Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine

Exceptional Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: December 8, 2023

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Estimated Price: $60,000 - $90,000

Exceptional Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter

Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1866
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 44 RF
Barrel: 20 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 1060
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 12
Class: Antique
Description:

This is an extraordinary example of a Fourth Model 1866 carbine that was manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. in 1891. The included factory letter confirms the carbines configurations, and lists it as being received in the warehouse on May 07, 1891. Changed to Rim on August 18, 1898, (it began as centerfire per the factory letter). Shipped from the warehouse on August 18, 1898, order number 2603, received in the warehouse on August 18, 1899. Then shipped from the warehouse on September 26, 1901, order number 113108. The carbine has the distinctive brass receiver with blue 20-inch barrel, 13-shot magazine and barrel bands. The hammer, lever, trigger and carbine style iron buttplate are color casehardened. The loading gate and bolt are niter blue. The stock and forearm are oil finished straight grain American walnut. The carbine has the Fourth Model features which include: receiver profile with less drop ahead of the hammer than earlier models, iron buttplate with sliding brass trapdoor and serial number stamped on the lower tang between the lever latch and tang screw. A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a rear sight. The barrel has a block mounted steel front sight located behind the upper barrel band and late sporting style folding leaf rear sight marked "1873" and graduated to 900 yards. The magazine has the late style screw fastened cap. The hammer has forged bordered knurling on the spur. The butt trap contains a four piece jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the second style legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight and the late "44 B" caliber marking between the rear sight and the receiver. "44 CAL" is stamped in script letters on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The serial number is stamped in script numerals on the lower receiver tang. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Rating Definition:

Excellent. The carbine retains 97% of the original blue finish and displays only very minimal storage marks. The excellent brass receiver has an outstanding attractive mustard yellow appearance with visible factory polish marks and perfect side plate joints. The barrel and magazine retain 98% plus of the original blue finish; wear is limited to some screwdriver marks on the magazine plug and some very minor finish loss on the sides of the barrel bands. Nearly all the niter blue finish is present on the loading gate and the bolt retains most of the blue finish. The hammer, lever and trigger retain most of the vivid case colors. Finish wear is located on the heel and toe of the buttplate; the balance of the buttplate retains 90% plus of the casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition and show only the slightest handling marks. The barrel and receiver markings are crisp. Mechanically excellent. This is a stunning, nearly new example of a Winchester 1866 carbine, that would be extremely difficult to improve upon!



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