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Rare, New York Engraved, Nickel-Plated, Third Model Winchester 1866 Saddle-Ring Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Carbines Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 37,500.00 USD
Rare, New York Engraved, Nickel-Plated, Third Model Winchester 1866 Saddle-Ring Carbine
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Rare, New York Engraved, Nickel-Plated, Third Model Winchester 1866 Saddle-Ring Carbine

Model 1866 Winchester carbine manufactured in 1869. This carbine has the Third Model receiver profile and serial number, "45658" stamped in block letters on the lower tang behind the trigger. The barrel and magazine are blued and the barrel bands, receiver, hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are nickel-plated. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. The carbine has un-matted scroll engraving on the receiver top, sides and bottom, upper and lower tang, cartridge elevator, bottom of the lever, barrel bands, and buttplate heel. Standard Winchester engraving was generally limited to the receiver, buttplate and forend. Additional coverage is rare. The forward portions of both sides of the receiver are engraved with distinctive, heart-shaped, motifs. A nickel-plated Model 1866 carbine, serial number 48311, with similar heart-shaped motifs and extra engraving coverage is pictured and described on page 82 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" by George Madis. This carbine has the early style upper barrel band with integral front sight blade, non-adjustable, two-leaf rear sight with apertures marked "1", "3" and "5". A staple-mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The crescent buttplate has a hinged trap. 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." ahead of the rear sight. Winchester Model 1866 carbines were generally considered to be working guns an are seldom encountered with engraving or special finishes. A nickel-plated, engraved, Model 1866 Carbine like this example is very rare.

Manufacture: Winchester
Model: 1866
BBL: 20 Inch
Stock: varnished walnut
Gauge: 44 RF
Finish: blue/nickel
Grips:
Serial Number: 45658

Very fine. The carbine retains 75% of the nickel-plated finish. Most of the plated finish is present on the receiver. Wear is concentrated on the buttplate, lever, hammer and barrel bands. There is some deep pitting on the knurled portion of the hammer spur. The barrel and magazine have a deep brown patina with some scattered age spotting. There is some light pitting on the barrel at the muzzle and the end of the magazine. Traces of the original niter blue finish are present on the loading gate. The expertly executed engraving is deep and crisp. The stock and forearm are in very good overall condition. The stock is in fine condition with only very limited handling wear. The forearm, typically, has more wear with several shallow dents and scratches on the left side and a small chip in the right side of the barrel channel below the rear sight. This is an attractive example of a New York Engraved and nickel-plated Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine.