VERY RARE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER EARLY 3RD MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 36463. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Beautiful, special order ’66 with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, thinned half nickel front sight and 900 yd reproduction Henry ladder rear sight. Mounted with about 2X, flame grain, uncheckered, tiger striped American walnut buttstock with burl grain forearm and straight stock, that has crescent brass buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with numbers “34”, a “B” and “XX”. Last four digits of matching serial number are found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Buttplate also has matching #”34″ inside the toe. Receiver, forend cap & buttplate tang are spectacularly engraved by an unknown artist from the period of this rifle. Engraving is of the highest quality with a few similarities to some patterns incorporated in engravings by John Ulrich, but only a few. Whoever the artist happened to be, was very talented and equal to, or superior to, the masters of his day in the 19th century. There is a possibility that this rifle could have been engraved by Gustave Young, as there are some similarities to his work. A diligent search, under magnification did not disclose a signature. Engraving consists of nearly full coverage intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with open counterpoint panels and a rope style border on top & bottom edges on both sides reminiscent of Gustave Young. Left side has a very elaborate flower blossom and leaf patterns just above the lever screw. Front side panels are identically engraved with open counterpoint panels that have a small flower blossom in the center and foliate patterns at each corner. The area below the loading gate on the right side has a very unusual spiral pattern. Matching patterns extend over the top of the receiver and top tang with elaborate foliate sprays on the receiver ring and behind the hammer slot. Bottom of the carrier is engraved in Moorish patterns. Forend cap, possibly an old replacement is engraved by a different hand. Buttplate tang is engraved by the same hand as the receiver. Regardless of the forend cap, this is an extraordinary example of the engraver’s art. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain blue in sheltered areas being an overall chocolate brown patina showing light edge wear, a few small nicks and three or four small areas of pitting; receiver & buttplate retain a wonderful aged brass patina showing moderate edge wear; wood is sound with numerous small nicks, scratches and light bruises and overall retains about 80-85% orig varnish, showing wear on the forearm at the carry point. Mechanics are fine; dark bore with sharp rifling and scattered pitting. 4-50388 JR439 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1108

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1108	$0.00	VERY RARE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER EARLY 3RD MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 36463. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Beautiful, special order ’66 with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, thinned half nickel front sight and 900 yd reproduction Henry ladder rear sight. Mounted with about 2X, flame grain, uncheckered, tiger striped American walnut buttstock with burl grain forearm and straight stock, that has crescent brass buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with numbers “34”, a “B” and “XX”. Last four digits of matching serial number are found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Buttplate also has matching #”34″ inside the toe. Receiver, forend cap & buttplate tang are spectacularly engraved by an unknown artist from the period of this rifle. Engraving is of the highest quality with a few similarities to some patterns incorporated in engravings by John Ulrich, but only a few. Whoever the artist happened to be, was very talented and equal to, or superior to, the masters of his day in the 19th century. There is a possibility that this rifle could have been engraved by Gustave Young, as there are some similarities to his work. A diligent search, under magnification did not disclose a signature. Engraving consists of nearly full coverage intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with open counterpoint panels and a rope style border on top & bottom edges on both sides reminiscent of Gustave Young. Left side has a very elaborate flower blossom and leaf patterns just above the lever screw. Front side panels are identically engraved with open counterpoint panels that have a small flower blossom in the center and foliate patterns at each corner. The area below the loading gate on the right side has a very unusual spiral pattern. Matching patterns extend over the top of the receiver and top tang with elaborate foliate sprays on the receiver ring and behind the hammer slot. Bottom of the carrier is engraved in Moorish patterns. Forend cap, possibly an old replacement is engraved by a different hand. Buttplate tang is engraved by the same hand as the receiver. Regardless of the forend cap, this is an extraordinary example of the engraver’s art. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain blue in sheltered areas being an overall chocolate brown patina showing light edge wear, a few small nicks and three or four small areas of pitting; receiver & buttplate retain a wonderful aged brass patina showing moderate edge wear; wood is sound with numerous small nicks, scratches and light bruises and overall retains about 80-85% orig varnish, showing wear on the forearm at the carry point. Mechanics are fine; dark bore with sharp rifling and scattered pitting. 4-50388 JR439 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1108 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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VERY RARE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER EARLY 3RD MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.