HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT WINCHESTER MODEL 66 SADDLE RING CARBINE THAT BELONGED TO OLIVER F. WINCHESTER.

HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT WINCHESTER MODEL 66 SADDLE RING CARBINE THAT BELONGED TO OLIVER F. WINCHESTER. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard carbine with 20” round barrel, full magazine, integral front barrel band and sight, round barrel band, 2-position flip rear sight, brass receiver with staple and saddle ring on the left side and brass carbine buttplate with trap. Accompanied by a letter dated February 16, 1970 from the Winchester Gun Museum identifying this carbine as “Assembled July 1, 1876” and “Sent to O.F.W.’s house (probably Oliver F. Winchester)”. The letter further states that “It was returned put in good order and cleaned and shipped out December 4, 1890”, and signed by T.E. Hall. It is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum’s letter dated July 26, 2002 stating the same as above with the additional notation “up at the house {the main office building}”. Additionally, there is a printout of the actual shipping record on file at the Cody Firearms Museum which identifies this carbine and in the sold column and order number column instead of the date and order number it simply has “OFW”. Under the remarks column in the same hand, is “up at the house”. Then in another handwriting is “put in good order & cleaned Dec. 4/90-22194”. Additional research at the Cody Firearms Museum research office disclosed two additional 66 carbines under the same order as this carbine, in 1890. They were also “refreshed”. Also accompanying is a copy of Oliver Winchester’s will from the probate records of New Haven, CT. History records that Oliver F. Winchester passed away in 1880, leaving his estate to his wife with three administrators. One was his son, another a lawyer and the third his son-in-law, named Thomas G. Bennett. The son passed away not too long after Mr. Winchester’s demise and the lawyer was deceased in the late 1880’s, leaving Mr. Bennett as the sole surviving trustee. In 1890 Mrs. Winchester decided to sell out all the property and possessions and move to California. Almost simultaneously Mr. Bennett was appointed as CEO or the head of Winchester operations. Mr. Bennett was well known as a hard driver and efficient manager. It stands to reason that, in cleaning out the estate, he would have returned this carbine and any others found in the Winchester home to the factory to be sold to raise capital. SN 131554. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains about 85% strong original blue with light scattered spots of fine surface rust. The magazine tube is mostly a plum-brown patina with spots of moderate to heavy rust. The barrel band retains about 60% original blue. The receiver is extremely fine with sharp edges, a few light scratches and a beautifully medium mustard patina. The screws retain generous amounts of their original blue. The lever is mostly a blue-brown patina while the hammer retains about 30% fading case colors. The buttplate is fine with a light mustard patina and the screws retain most of their blue. The forearm has a hairline crack at the tip otherwise the wood is sound. It retains a fine oil finish with light handling and use marks. The lower tang is cracked through the lever lock, not affecting the operation. The bore is strong with sharp rifling and moderate to heavy pitting. Mechanics are fine. 4-49005 JR785 (35,000-55,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2003

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
	880A.	$34,500.00	HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT WINCHESTER MODEL 66 SADDLE RING CARBINE THAT BELONGED TO OLIVER F. WINCHESTER. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard carbine with 20” round barrel, full magazine, integral front barrel band and sight, round barrel band, 2-position flip rear sight, brass receiver with staple and saddle ring on the left side and brass carbine buttplate with trap. Accompanied by a letter dated February 16, 1970 from the Winchester Gun Museum identifying this carbine as “Assembled July 1, 1876” and “Sent to O.F.W.’s house (probably Oliver F. Winchester)”. The letter further states that “It was returned put in good order and cleaned and shipped out December 4, 1890”, and signed by T.E. Hall. It is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum’s letter dated July 26, 2002 stating the same as above with the additional notation “up at the house {the main office building}”. Additionally, there is a printout of the actual shipping record on file at the Cody Firearms Museum which identifies this carbine and in the sold column and order number column instead of the date and order number it simply has “OFW”. Under the remarks column in the same hand, is “up at the house”. Then in another handwriting is “put in good order & cleaned Dec. 4/90-22194”. Additional research at the Cody Firearms Museum research office disclosed two additional 66 carbines under the same order as this carbine, in 1890. They were also “refreshed”. Also accompanying is a copy of Oliver Winchester’s will from the probate records of New Haven, CT. History records that Oliver F. Winchester passed away in 1880, leaving his estate to his wife with three administrators. One was his son, another a lawyer and the third his son-in-law, named Thomas G. Bennett. The son passed away not too long after Mr. Winchester’s demise and the lawyer was deceased in the late 1880’s, leaving Mr. Bennett as the sole surviving trustee. In 1890 Mrs. Winchester decided to sell out all the property and possessions and move to California. Almost simultaneously Mr. Bennett was appointed as CEO or the head of Winchester operations. Mr. Bennett was well known as a hard driver and efficient manager. It stands to reason that, in cleaning out the estate, he would have returned this carbine and any others found in the Winchester home to the factory to be sold to raise capital. SN 131554. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains about 85% strong original blue with light scattered spots of fine surface rust. The magazine tube is mostly a plum-brown patina with spots of moderate to heavy rust. The barrel band retains about 60% original blue. The receiver is extremely fine with sharp edges, a few light scratches and a beautifully medium mustard patina. The screws retain generous amounts of their original blue. The lever is mostly a blue-brown patina while the hammer retains about 30% fading case colors. The buttplate is fine with a light mustard patina and the screws retain most of their blue. The forearm has a hairline crack at the tip otherwise the wood is sound. It retains a fine oil finish with light handling and use marks. The lower tang is cracked through the lever lock, not affecting the operation. The bore is strong with sharp rifling and moderate to heavy pitting. Mechanics are fine. 4-49005 JR785 (35,000-55,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2003 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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