This Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle was manufactured c. 1869, engraved and signed by the renowned 19th century engraver Louis D. Nimschke. This Model 1866 Rifle has the serial number stamped in block numerals on the lower tang behind the trigger. The rifle has a 24-inch full octagon barrel with full length magazine. The barrel has a dovetail mounted, nickel-silver 'Rocky Mountain' front sight and dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight. The top barrel flat 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. Special order sling swivels are mounted on the forearm cap and stock. The crescent buttplate has a hinged trapdoor and the butt trap contains a four-piece, jointed, steel cleaning rod. The barrel and magazine are blued, the hammer, trigger, lever and sling swivels are color casehardened and the brass forearm cap, receiver and crescent buttplate are gold plated. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with a high polish piano finish. The forearm cap, receiver, cartridge elevator and buttplate are engraved with Nimschke's distinctive American style scroll work on a punch-dot background with zig-zag, scalloped and double line borders. The engraver's signature "L.D.N." is located on the lower receiver tang behind the trigger. Louis D. Nimschke was one of the most recognized and accomplished nineteenth century American arms engravers. Henry and Winchester rifles with Nimschke engraving are among the most desirable of all engraved American firearms.

Very good. The blue on the barrel and magazine has aged to a good-looking, plum dark brown patina. The metal surfaces are smooth with only minimal handling marks. The edges of the barrel flats are sharp. The Winchester legend is crisp. The attractively aged brass forearm cap, receiver, cartridge elevator and buttplate strong traces of the delicate gold plated finish in protected areas. L.D. Nimschke's flawlessly executed American style scrollwork is crisp. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have faded to a gray-brown patina. The loading gate retains 25% of the original nitre blue finish. The stock and forearm are both fine and retains most of the original piano finish with scattered scratches and very minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent This is an exceptional example of a rare L.D. Nimschke signed, engraved, gold-plated Winchester Model 1866 rifle.