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SCARCE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION MUSKET.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
SCARCE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION MUSKET.
SN 40505. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 27" rnd bbl, full magazine, square base front sight/bayonet lug and 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight with slide retainer screw. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with 3/4 forearm and straight stock with brass carbine/musket buttplate with trap containing a 4-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. Front bbl band has the rare feature of a saber bayonet lug on the right side and the middle band has factory sling swivel with corresponding swivel in the buttstock, containing a partial orig sling with brass hooks that have been reattached. Serial number is found on bottom tang with the last three digits of the matching SN in top tang channel of the buttstock and inside toe of the buttplate. Left side of lower tang, under the wood, is marked with a large "M". Accompanied by an orig saber bayonet with 19-3/4" Yataghan blade in its black leather scabbard with brass tip & throat. Also accompanied by two letters from renowned Winchester historian & author, George Madis. Mr. Madis details most of the above information plus additional specifics about production numbers of these muskets. In one of the letters he states "One of the rarest of 1866 models is a musket with the fitting for a saber bayonet. In total production, less than 10,000 muskets were produced, according to a count made in the mid 1930s." In the next paragraph he writes "In the count mentioned above, it was found only one of each fourteen muskets had fittings for a saber bayonet." In the next paragraph he states "Muskets such as this are very rare, and it is estimated that less than one-thousand muskets were made to accommodate a saber bayonet." He goes on to say that saber bayonets are also very rare. PROVENANCE: Barnes Family Collection. CONDITION: Musket is very good to fine with the bbl & exposed steel parts retaining a smooth, light brown, artificially aged patina. Receiver & sideplates have been dressed showing sharp edges and an artificially aged medium to dark mustard patina. Stock is missing a sliver by the left lower tang, otherwise wood is sound showing moderate to heavy use and retains a lightly restored finish. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore. Sling remnant has lightly crackled surface and retains most of its orig black finish. Bayonet blade has been cleaned and has light to moderate pitting; brass handle also cleaned with nicks, dings & scratches; scabbard is fine & sound retaining most of its orig black finish with dark mustard patina on the brass. Cleaning rod is fine. 4-47637 JR252