Image Lot Price Description









1058
$45,425.00

EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 37333. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Beautiful engraved ’66 with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, Rocky Mtn. front sight that appears to have been orig to this rifle, with a 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight missing its slide. It has full magazine and appears to have originally had a browned bbl. Receiver is wonderfully engraved, probably from the hand of the master himself in Nimschke’s inimitable style consisting of the large vignette of a screaming American eagle perched on a stars & stripes shield holding an olive branch in its left talons and arrows in its right talons. All surrounded by Nimschke’s beautiful, bold, sweeping, intertwined arabesque patterns with punch dot background. It has his trademark feather patterns on both sides of the front edges of the raised areas with matching foliate arabesque patterns in both front panels, around rear edges, on top of receiver, behind hammer, on forend cap and buttplate tang. Right side of receiver also has his beautiful sweeping foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. The carrier bears his trademark flower blossom with chip border and has foliate patterns between timing screws. Bottom tang is matching engraved with a small arabesque pattern behind trigger with five tiny stars. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and crescent brass buttplate with trap. Forend cap & buttstock have factory sling swivels. The serial number was observed on bottom tang behind trigger and again in top tang channel of buttstock. Inside toe of buttplate has serial number “5882” but appears to be orig to this rifle as the engraving patterns match completely. CONDITION: About fine. Bbl retains a medium brown patina that may be orig browning and has several light & two or three heavier dings on top three flats at about mid-point. Receiver shows light to moderate wear and retains a medium smooth mustard patina. There are traces of gold over silver wash inside receiver and tangs. Stock has a hairline at the toe, otherwise wood is sound with numerous small nicks, dings & scratches and retains a dark oiled handworn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore that may clean substantially better. 4-33832 JR305 (30,000-50,000)


Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008
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.