EXTREMELY RARE & IMPORTANT ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 FLAT SIDE SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH PRESENTATION TO EMPEROR OF MEXICO, MAXIMILIAN.

EXTREMELY RARE & IMPORTANT ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 FLAT SIDE SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH PRESENTATION TO EMPEROR OF MEXICO, MAXIMILIAN. SN 13187. Cal. 44 CF. Standard early flat side carbine with 20″ rnd bbl, full magazine with threaded magazine plug, integral front band & front sight and a 2-position flip rear sight. Left side of receiver has a staple with a homemade brass ring and right side has the orig style flat loading gate. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate with trap. Serial number was observed on left side of the lower tang, under the wood as is found on all early ’66’s . Also on the left side of the lower tang are the tiny numbers “969” which apparently is an assembly number which is also found on inside of sideplates. Top tang channel of butt stock has serial number “13404” which number is also found inside toe of the buttplate. Receiver is very beautifully engraved from the Nimschke shop, possibly by the master himself, with elaborate sweeping intertwined foliate arabesque patterns on both sides with an extraordinary Mexican eagle on left sideplate, standing on prickly pear cactus clutching a rattlesnake in its talon & beak. The head of the eagle has been over-stamped with a small crown, after the engraving was accomplished. Top of the receiver is engraved in Moorish patterns with chip borders and a hunters star over the front receiver ring. Top tang is engraved to match the sideplates. Top left flat is nicely hand engraved in script lettering, probably after it was received in Mexico “F. Maximiliano” on the left side and “Emperador de Mejico” on the right side. Carrier is Nimschke engraved with a diamond & dot pattern with simple line borders. Receiver & side panels retain oxidized silver plating in sheltered areas, strong under the wood. Buttplate retains traces of gold plating. The flatside 1866 is the earliest example of the true “Winchester”, being the first Winchester designed firearm after Oliver Winchester had purchased the Henry rifle around the end of the Civil War. The name flatside derives from the flat front edge of receiver where is meets the forearm vs. the later models that have a raised rib to allow for a thicker, more durable forearm. This model was first produced at around serial number 12,400 and was intermingled with the last production of the Henry rifle and continued through approx. serial number 15,500. This is the very earliest type with the Henry contour at top rear of the frame. Bbl markings are legible and are of the earliest type “HENRY’S PATENT – OCT. 16. 1860” and the King’s improvement patent data. It is believed by knowledgeable collectors & authors that this is the first engraved Winchester firearm. It is pictured in the Wilson’s Antique Annual of 1971. While no shipping or production records exist for the Model 1866, extrapolation of the existing records indicate that this rifle was produced in late 1866. It is known that in late 1866 Benito Juarez placed an order for 1,000 guns and 500 cartridges for each, which were delivered to Monterey where payment was received in silver. As late as 1870 account books at Winchester showed an entry entitled “Mexican Matter $58,000” apparently an account receivable. This information was obtained from The Winchester Book, Madis. Maximilian was installed Emperor of Mexico in 1864 by Napoleon III and was executed by Republican forces after his capture in 1867. PROVENANCE: John F. Miller Collection CONDITION: About good. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas with bbl, magazine tube, bands, lever & hammer being mostly a mottled silver brown patina. Receiver retains a worn, dark mustard patina. Stock has a slightly chipped toe, otherwise wood is sound with usual nicks, dings & scratches and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with only a spot or two of light pitting. 4-37777 JR146 (85,000-125,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

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
	2245	$0.00	EXTREMELY RARE & IMPORTANT ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 FLAT SIDE SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH PRESENTATION TO EMPEROR OF MEXICO, MAXIMILIAN. SN 13187. Cal. 44 CF. Standard early flat side carbine with 20″ rnd bbl, full magazine with threaded magazine plug, integral front band & front sight and a 2-position flip rear sight. Left side of receiver has a staple with a homemade brass ring and right side has the orig style flat loading gate. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate with trap. Serial number was observed on left side of the lower tang, under the wood as is found on all early ’66’s . Also on the left side of the lower tang are the tiny numbers “969” which apparently is an assembly number which is also found on inside of sideplates. Top tang channel of butt stock has serial number “13404” which number is also found inside toe of the buttplate. Receiver is very beautifully engraved from the Nimschke shop, possibly by the master himself, with elaborate sweeping intertwined foliate arabesque patterns on both sides with an extraordinary Mexican eagle on left sideplate, standing on prickly pear cactus clutching a rattlesnake in its talon & beak. The head of the eagle has been over-stamped with a small crown, after the engraving was accomplished. Top of the receiver is engraved in Moorish patterns with chip borders and a hunters star over the front receiver ring. Top tang is engraved to match the sideplates. Top left flat is nicely hand engraved in script lettering, probably after it was received in Mexico “F. Maximiliano” on the left side and “Emperador de Mejico” on the right side. Carrier is Nimschke engraved with a diamond & dot pattern with simple line borders. Receiver & side panels retain oxidized silver plating in sheltered areas, strong under the wood. Buttplate retains traces of gold plating. The flatside 1866 is the earliest example of the true “Winchester”, being the first Winchester designed firearm after Oliver Winchester had purchased the Henry rifle around the end of the Civil War. The name flatside derives from the flat front edge of receiver where is meets the forearm vs. the later models that have a raised rib to allow for a thicker, more durable forearm. This model was first produced at around serial number 12,400 and was intermingled with the last production of the Henry rifle and continued through approx. serial number 15,500. This is the very earliest type with the Henry contour at top rear of the frame. Bbl markings are legible and are of the earliest type “HENRY’S PATENT – OCT. 16. 1860” and the King’s improvement patent data. It is believed by knowledgeable collectors & authors that this is the first engraved Winchester firearm. It is pictured in the Wilson’s Antique Annual of 1971. While no shipping or production records exist for the Model 1866, extrapolation of the existing records indicate that this rifle was produced in late 1866. It is known that in late 1866 Benito Juarez placed an order for 1,000 guns and 500 cartridges for each, which were delivered to Monterey where payment was received in silver. As late as 1870 account books at Winchester showed an entry entitled “Mexican Matter $58,000” apparently an account receivable. This information was obtained from The Winchester Book, Madis. Maximilian was installed Emperor of Mexico in 1864 by Napoleon III and was executed by Republican forces after his capture in 1867. PROVENANCE: John F. Miller Collection CONDITION: About good. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas with bbl, magazine tube, bands, lever & hammer being mostly a mottled silver brown patina. Receiver retains a worn, dark mustard patina. Stock has a slightly chipped toe, otherwise wood is sound with usual nicks, dings & scratches and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with only a spot or two of light pitting. 4-37777 JR146 (85,000-125,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 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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