3001

Rare, Documented Factory Panel Scene Relief Engraved, Gold Plated Winchester Model 1866 Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:32,500.00 USD Estimated At:65,000.00 - 95,000.00 USD
Rare, Documented Factory Panel Scene Relief Engraved, Gold Plated Winchester Model 1866 Carbine
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Estimate: $65000 - 95000
This spectacular factory panel scene, Ulrich relief engraved Winchester Model 1866 Carbine was manufactured in 1869. This Third Model carbine has the distinctive receiver profile, upper barrel band with integral front sight blade, threaded magazine cap, non-adjustable rear sight graduated for 100, 300 and 500 yards, staple mounted saddle ring on the left side of the receiver and crescent brass buttplate with hinged trap. The buttplate contains a four-piece jointed, steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The barrel, magazine and barrel bands are blued and the loading lever and hammer are casehardened. The stock and forearm are rosewood. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS-NEWHAVEN CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16.1860." between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. "C" is stamped on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The serial number "46035" is stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger and surrounded by an engraved, double-line border. The brass receiver and buttplate are factory engraved with Winchester "Style One" semi-relief engraving which covers nearly the entire surface of the receiver including the lower tang. The engraving, believed to have been executed by master engraver Conrad F. Ulrich, features two highly detailed scenes on either side of the receiver. The left side plate is engraved with a hunter armed with a Winchester rifle defending himself from three Native American warriors. The front portion of the receiver is engraved with a bugling bull elk in a panel with a circular border. The right side plate is engraved with a scene that depicts a hunter and hound driving a buck deer. The right front of the receiver is engraved with a crouching panther in a round panel with engraved border. Each of the scenes has engraved borders. The balance of the receiver and the heel of the buttplate are engraved with highly detailed Germanic scrollwork on a punch-dot background. The receiver of this carbine is illustrated and described in detail on page 111 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" by George Madis and on page 95 of "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The engraving on the receiver of this carbine represents some of the finest and most detailed work by Conrad F. Ulrich (1844-1925). Conrad Ulrich studied under Gustave Young and was heavily influenced by Young's work.
BBL: 20 Inch round
Stock: rosewood
Gauge: 44 RF
Finish: gold-plated/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 46035
Condition: Very good plus. The barrel, magazine and upper barrel band have a dark plum brown patina with traces of the original blue finish in protected areas. The lower barrel band has worn to a silver gray. The case colors on the hammer and lever have a mottled, gray-brown patina. The loading gate retains 40% of the original niter blue finish. The brass receiver and crescent buttplate have traces of gold with the balance a mellow, untouched patina. The side plate joints are in perfect condition. The relief engraving on the receiver and the heel of the buttplate is crisp and the receiver scenes retain all of the delicate detail. The rosewood stock and forearm are both in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The barrel band is possibly a replacement as it is not as nice as the barrel. This rare and extremely well documented carbine displays some of the finest and most detailed factory panel scene engraving found on any Winchester Model 1866 saddle ring carbine.