Page 65 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3068
Highly Attractive and Exceptional Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Musket - Serial no. 31858, 44 RF cal., 27 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Offered here is a musket variation
of the popular Winchester Model 1866 as
manufactured in 1870. It is a third model with the block serial number stamped behind
the trigger and a single upper tang screw.
Winchester first offered the musket version of the Model 1866 in the third model serial number range. In all, Winchester
produced approximately 14,000 Model 1866 muskets, the lowest production figure for any
of the Model 1866 variations (rifle, carbine and musket). Model 1866 muskets are a very rare Winchester
as most were sold to foreign customers, especially to South America, and saw hard use. This musket lacks foreign proofs and therefore most likely stayed in the United States. Encountering an above average condition example, like this one, is increasingly becoming very
difficult. The barrel is fitted with three barrel bands, a block style front sight that serves as a lug for an angular socket bayonet (not included) and a dovetail mounted folding leaf rear sight graduated to 900 yards. The rear sight is the Henry pattern two position folding type with the staff marked 2-8 (200-800 yards) and the 900 yard sighting notch on top. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Winchester New Haven address/King’s patent legend. It has the correct 27 inch round barrel with the magazine
tube that stops about 2 3/4 inches from the muzzle, allowing this rifle to have a full 17 round capacity, and correct sling loops mounted on the middle
barrel band and lower stock area. The bolt retains its original rimfire firing pin. It is fitted with a straight grain American walnut straight grip stock and 3/4
length forearm. The buttstock has the musket style brass buttplate featuring a sliding trapdoor (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 80% plus original blue finish with a patch of touched up pitting behind the middle band. The
three barrel bands have a smooth brown-gray patina mixed with traces of original blue. The exceptionally fine brass has a highly attractive mellow appearance. The receiver has tight fitting side plates. 50% original case colors remain on the hammer. 50% original niter blue remain on the loading gate. The buttstock has been repaired at the wrist, otherwise the wood is fine with a couple scuffs and some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 3069
Exceptional Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Musket - Serial no. 570597B, 44 WCF cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. This Winchester Model
1873 Lever Action Musket was manufactured
in 1902. This Third Model Musket has the
distinctive integral dust cover guide on the
receiver and dust cover with serrated edges. The barrel is fitted with a block front sight for a socket bayonet and a military pattern folding leaf rear sight graduated to
800 yards. The musket has the unique, full-length, forearm, three barrel bands and carbine buttplate with sliding brass trap. Sling swivels are fitted to the stock and middle barrel band.
The barrel, magazine, barrel bands and receiver are blued, the hammer, loading lever, trigger and buttplate are casehardened
and the loading gate is niter blued. The walnut stock and forearm have an oil finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: “WINCHESTER’S
REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING’S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.” in two lines between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. The caliber
designation: “44 W.C.F.” is stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. “44 CAL” is inscribed on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper receiver tang is
roll-stamped: “MODEL 1873” with foliate designs on either end. The serial number is located on the lower receiver tang between the loading lever latch and the rear tang screw.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The rifle appears unused with only very minor storage wear and light scratches on the receiver. 98% of the bright original finish is present on the barrel,
magazines, barrel bands and receiver. The casehardened hammer, lever, trigger and buttplate retain 98% plus of the vivid case colors. The loading gate has nearly all of the niter blue finish. The stock and forearm are excellent with un-handled “feathered” grain and nearly all of the original oil finish. Wear is limited to some minor storage marks on the right side of the forearm between the middle and lower barrel band. This is an excellent, near mint example of a Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Musket.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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