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CUSTER BATTLEFIELD ASSOCIATED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 RIFLE

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
CUSTER BATTLEFIELD ASSOCIATED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 RIFLE
CUSTER BATTLEFIELD ASSOCIATED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 RIFLE. Cal .44RF Henry. Standard late rifle with 24-1/4” oct bbl, full magazine with straight stock and crescent buttplate. Bbl has half-nickel front sight and early 1873 style semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. The buttplate and forend cap are iron. It has the early style screwed in magazine plug. The stock and forearm have a coating of very old mustard colored paint. It is accompanied by two hand written letters. The first is from an unidentified individual stating that he purchased this rifle while on a deer hunt near Bozeman, MT in 1998 form a Mr. McMillan. The second letter is dated October 13, 98 and signed by Warren McMillan. The hand writing is rather shaky, apparently by someone of advanced age or having an infirmity of some sort. In the letter Mr. McMillan states that this rifle had been found by his father, Andrew McMillan, in the fall of 1893 while hunting. He states that the rifle was in a small cave on the Little BigHorn a few miles south of Hardin MT) where he took shelter from a severe snowstorm. He states that the rifle was wrapped in an old blanket when it was found. He further states that his father settled in Montana in 1888. Mr. McMillan states that the rifle hung in his bar, the Broken Arrow Café, for over 30 years. Serial number not visible. CONDITION: Poor, bbl and magazine tube are a deep dark brown patina with heavy rust pitting overall. The forend cap is missing both screws and the sight its elevator. The receiver is missing the sideplate screw, one timing spring screw and the main spring tension screw. The loading gate screw has been replaced with a rivet. The trigger return spring is a crude repair and the top tang screw is replaced with a nail. The lever screw is much battered, the lever latch is missing and the lower tang screw is replaced with a large wood screw. The right sideplate is sprung at the top and the receiver is much battered and abused with fine pitting over most of the surface. The forearm has several cracks and the stock a crack in the wrist and several grain checks and retains 60-70% of the old mustard paint. It is apparent that this rifle was carried and used extensively after the paint was applied. The bore is dark and rusted but still has rifling. This is all consistent with Plains Indian usage. 4-450136 JR520