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Spectacular Documented Factory Engraved Gold Plated Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine From T

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:75,000.00 - 150,000.00 USD
Spectacular Documented Factory Engraved Gold Plated Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine From T
This is an excellent example of a factory engraved, gold plated, special order Winchester Model 1866 that was manufactured in 1876, with a factory letter. The barrel, barrel bands, loading gate and magazine tube are blue. The hammer, lever and trigger are casehardened and the receiver and buttplate are gold plated. The sides of the receiver are nicely floral scroll engraved with a punch dot background and a double circle panel on the left side depicting a deer. There is a wedge of engraving on the rear of the cartridge elevator and frame directly behind the elevator, and around the lower tang screw and buttplate tang screw. The engraving is done very much in the style attributable to Conrad Ulrich. A saddle ring and staple are mounted on the left rear of the receiver. The barrel is equipped with the standard blade front sight integral to the barrel band and a two leaf folding rear sight. The top of the barrel is marked with the two line address/King's improvement dates and the serial number is on the lower tang. The carbine is mounted with a nicely figured smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a sling swivel base and carbine buttplate with compartment containing a three piece cleaning rod. The accompanying factory letter verifies the carbine configuration, gold and engraved, that it was received in the warehouse on December 15, 1876 and shipped from the warehouse on December 16, 1876 with 9 other carbines with the same specifications to the same order, (apparently a high end dealer at the time).
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: deluxe walnut
Gauge: 44 RF
Finish: blue/gold
Grips:
Serial Number: 132646
Condition: Excellent. The barrel and magazine tube retain 90% plus of the original blue finish with some thinning and some areas of smooth brown patina. The loading gate retains 75% of the original bright nitre blue finish with some minor browning. The barrel bands retain 80% original finish with thinning and areas of smooth gray patina. The receiver retains 98% original gold plating with some thinning on the underside and some high edge wear. The buttplate also retains 98% original gold plating with wear limited to the heel. The lever retains 90% original vivid case colors with areas of smooth gray. The trigger has a smooth brown patina and the hammer mostly a smooth gray with strong original case colors on the left side. The wood is also excellent with a very attractive "tiger eye" pattern on the stock with some overall scattered minor dings. An excellent example of a factory engraved, gold plated Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine that is most likely the finest example extant.