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VERY RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY EARLY HENRY MARKED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
VERY RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY EARLY HENRY MARKED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 21676. Cal. 44 R.F. Henry. Extremely fine early '66 with 24-1/4" oct bbl, full magazine, slightly thinned half nickel front sight and 900 yd Henry-style ladder rear sight. Top flat of bbl has the Henry's & King's patent 2-line roll marking. Mounted with extraordinary, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and crescent brass buttplate with trap containing an orig brass & iron 4-pc cleaning rod. Buttstock and forend cap have orig factory sling swivels. Top tang channel of the buttstock and inside toe of buttplate are marked with the last 3 digits of matching SN. These early Henry marked 1866's were the immediate successors to the Model 1860 Henry rifle and have a number of Henry features aside from the bbl address. According to The Winchester Book, Madis, there were only about 10,000 models 1866 rifles and carbines produced with this bbl marking. The Model 1866 serial numbers began mixed with the end of the Henry serial numbers in the late 12,000 range and continued mixed with Henry numbers with about the 14,000 range. By approximately SN 23,000, the bbl marking had dropped the Henry's patent which was replaced by the Winchester marking. These early '66's were extremely well received by the buying public who was anxious for any repeating cartridge firearm. These early rifles and carbines were virtually all purchased by pioneers migrating to the American west and usually saw extreme hard service and are rarely every found with any orig finish. This is an extraordinarily rare rifle with its scarce bbl address and high condition. PROVENANCE: Woody Frey Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Bbl and magazine tube retain about 98% strong orig blue, turning a little plum on the top flats, strong and bright elsewhere. Receiver is extraordinary with crisp edges and a wonderful coffee colored patina. Hammer retains about all of its moderately faded case colors. Lever retains case colors in sheltered areas with the balance a dark patina. Buttplate is a dark mustard patina. Wood is sound with a few, very light, very scattered, handling and storage nicks and retains virtually all of its crisp orig oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Appears to be unfired as it retains virtually all of its orig factory blue on the bolt and bolt face. Cleaning rod is equally new. 4-48409 JR195