EXTRAORDINARILY RARE L.D. NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 DELUXE SADDLE RING CARBINE.

SN 118353. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Extraordinary ’66 carbine with 20″ bbl, full magazine, integral front sight/bbl band and 2-postition flip rear sight graduated 100,300 & 500 yds. Left side of receiver has a staple and ring. Mounted with uncheckered, extraordinary, 3-4X center crotch, flame grain American walnut with straight stock and rifle buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked “XXV”. Unusually, the full SN is found in the top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. This carbine is one of the most elaborately Nimschke engraved arms to come to market in recent history. The engraving consists of nearly full coverage on the sides and top of receiver & sideplates with fabulous, sweeping, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background. Above the lever screw on each sideplate is engraved with a large shell or fan pattern reminiscent of nearly identical patterns observed on Nimschke engraved handguns. One of the large scrolls on the left sideplate incorporates a mythical dog’s head also reminiscent of similar engravings on Nimschke engraved handguns. Top of receiver ring is engraved in Mr. Nimschke’s trademark flower blossom which is usually found on bottom of carrier. Balance of top of receiver is engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns which extend around the hammer slot and onto the top tang. Buttplate tang is engraved to match. A most unusual and elaborate feature, attesting to the extensive degree of engraving, is the matching engraving patterns on sides of the hammer, sides of the lever, forearm band and front sight band, features almost never seen on engraved arms of that era. Given the extensive and elaborate engraving found on this carbine along with the very highly figured wood, it can almost certainly be surmised that it was intended as an exhibition piece or for presentation to a head of state or someone of equal importance or high rank. The fact that it shows moderate to heavy wear testifies to its having been used by whomever was the recipient. This exact carbine, identified by SN, is pictured both sides on pg. 51 of The Book of Winchester Engraving, Wilson and identically on pg. 60 of Mr. Wilson’s book, Winchester Engraving. Both book entries are credited to the Paul Sorrell collection. PROVENANCE: Paul Sorrell collection; Prestigious and lifetime Parker and Winchester collection of Dr. Tom Bouwkamp. CONDITION: Good. Only traces of orig silver plating remain in the most sheltered areas, visible near the forearm band, around the rear sight and on the top and bottom tangs under the wood. Traces of oxidized silver can also be seen on the bottom tang and around the trigger slot, along with other traces on the loading gate. The gun metal receiver sideplates and buttplate show moderate to heavy edge wear with moderate wear to the engraving, which is still sharp and clear. Bbl and magazine tube are a dark brown patina with an area of rust on bbl and a ding in the magazine tube. Forearm band and front band are brown patina, as are the lever and hammer with pitting on the lever. Stock has a repaired crack through the wrist that is only faintly visible, otherwise wood is sound and retains an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Dark bore with sharp rifling and moderate to heavy pitting. 52170-32 (65,000-95,000) – Lot 1012

Auction: Firearms - October 2017

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
	1012	$0.00	EXTRAORDINARILY RARE L.D. NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 DELUXE SADDLE RING CARBINE. SN 118353. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Extraordinary ’66 carbine with 20″ bbl, full magazine, integral front sight/bbl band and 2-postition flip rear sight graduated 100,300 & 500 yds. Left side of receiver has a staple and ring. Mounted with uncheckered, extraordinary, 3-4X center crotch, flame grain American walnut with straight stock and rifle buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked “XXV”. Unusually, the full SN is found in the top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. This carbine is one of the most elaborately Nimschke engraved arms to come to market in recent history. The engraving consists of nearly full coverage on the sides and top of receiver & sideplates with fabulous, sweeping, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background. Above the lever screw on each sideplate is engraved with a large shell or fan pattern reminiscent of nearly identical patterns observed on Nimschke engraved handguns. One of the large scrolls on the left sideplate incorporates a mythical dog’s head also reminiscent of similar engravings on Nimschke engraved handguns. Top of receiver ring is engraved in Mr. Nimschke’s trademark flower blossom which is usually found on bottom of carrier. Balance of top of receiver is engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns which extend around the hammer slot and onto the top tang. Buttplate tang is engraved to match. A most unusual and elaborate feature, attesting to the extensive degree of engraving, is the matching engraving patterns on sides of the hammer, sides of the lever, forearm band and front sight band, features almost never seen on engraved arms of that era. Given the extensive and elaborate engraving found on this carbine along with the very highly figured wood, it can almost certainly be surmised that it was intended as an exhibition piece or for presentation to a head of state or someone of equal importance or high rank. The fact that it shows moderate to heavy wear testifies to its having been used by whomever was the recipient. This exact carbine, identified by SN, is pictured both sides on pg. 51 of The Book of Winchester Engraving, Wilson and identically on pg. 60 of Mr. Wilson’s book, Winchester Engraving. Both book entries are credited to the Paul Sorrell collection. PROVENANCE: Paul Sorrell collection; Prestigious and lifetime Parker and Winchester collection of Dr. Tom Bouwkamp. CONDITION: Good. Only traces of orig silver plating remain in the most sheltered areas, visible near the forearm band, around the rear sight and on the top and bottom tangs under the wood. Traces of oxidized silver can also be seen on the bottom tang and around the trigger slot, along with other traces on the loading gate. The gun metal receiver sideplates and buttplate show moderate to heavy edge wear with moderate wear to the engraving, which is still sharp and clear. Bbl and magazine tube are a dark brown patina with an area of rust on bbl and a ding in the magazine tube. Forearm band and front band are brown patina, as are the lever and hammer with pitting on the lever. Stock has a repaired crack through the wrist that is only faintly visible, otherwise wood is sound and retains an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Dark bore with sharp rifling and moderate to heavy pitting. 52170-32 (65,000-95,000) – Lot 1012 Auction: Firearms - October 2017 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

EXTRAORDINARILY RARE L.D. NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 DELUXE SADDLE RING CARBINE.