3020

Exhibition Quality, Documented Conrad F. Ulrich Signed Factory Panel Scene Engraved Gold Plated, Del

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:60,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
Exhibition Quality, Documented Conrad F. Ulrich Signed Factory Panel Scene Engraved Gold Plated, Del
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Estimate: $60000 - 90000
This is a rare and desirable example of a deluxe, factory panel scene engraved, Winchester Model 1866 rifle that was manufactured in 1870. This Third Model 1866 rifle has the distinctive receiver profile and serial number stamped on the lower tang. The full octagon barrel has a dovetail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and Henry style folding leaf rear sight. The magazine has a threaded cap. The brass forearm cap is secured by a screw drilled through the lower part of the barrel and is fitted with a factory sling swivel. The crescent brass buttplate has a trap that contains a four-piece jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The stock has a factory sling swivel. The top barrel flat 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" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The serial number "79860" is stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger and surrounded by an engraved banner the barrel and magazine are blued, the hammer and lever are color casehardened and the brass forearm cap, receiver and buttplate are gold plated. The stock and forearm are highly figured, fancy grade walnut. The forearm cap, receiver and buttplate are factory engraved with semi-relief Germanic scrollwork on a punch-dot background that includes a partially concealed hound, buffalo and grizzly bear. The sides of the receiver are engraved with highly detailed and unique customer requested scenes. The engraving is attributed to Conrad F. Ulrich by R.L. Wilson in "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING". The left side plate is engraved with a sulky racing scene; Wilson describes the sulky scene as "unique in Ulrich engraving". The forward portion of the receiver is engraved with a hunting fox in an oval panel. The right side plate is engraved with a hunting scene which depicts two hunters field-dressing a moose. A deer and a hound are engraved in an oval panel on the forward portion of the receiver. The remainder of the receiver; including the cartridge elevator and lower tang are decorated with detailed scrollwork. The receiver engraving is illustrated and described on page 98 of "THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" and on page 108 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" by George Madis.
BBL: 24 Inch Octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 RF
Finish: gold-plated/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 79860
Condition: Very good plus.The rifle retains traces of the original blue and gold-plated finish in protected areas. The balance of the barrel and receiver have a dark plum-brown patina. The barrel has a some edge wear. The rear sight is original to the rifle but is slightly bent and will not fold. The case colors on the hammer and lever have aged to a deep brown patina. The forearm cap, receiver and buttplate have a very attractive patina and retain a significant amount of the gold-plated finish. The flawlessly executed scrollwork and unique and very detailed receiver scenes are deep and sharp. There are several minor scratches on the sulky scene. The re-oiled fancy grain stock and forearm are both very good overall with some scattered minor handling and storage marks. The barrel legend is crisp. This is a spectacular example of a rare and well documented, Conrad Ulrich engraved, Winchester Model 1866 rifle. The unique panel scenes engraved on the receiver make this truly a unique Winchester Model 1866 rifle.