Lot 281: Winchester 1866 Engraved Rifle
S/N 36049, 24” barrel, Winchester 1866 Engraved Rifle. “XX” wood and so marked on tang, deep clean flowing engraving, possibly L D Nimschke; scroll “L” on tang, original 4-piece cleaning rod in butt, originally silver washed, correct “Sporting Leaf” barrel sight, very early exposed spring “Peep Sight” and globe front sight, 1870. CONDITION: Bore has good rifling with black powder oxidation the length of the bore, harshest at muzzle; barrel and magazine retain 60% blue turning plum and thinning with scattered pin prick oxidation; brass is smooth and mellow, engraving is in excellent condition, tang sight is very rough with broken spring, front sight has pin & ball post, mechanically excellent.
Very few engravers actually marked their work, Nimschke and the Ulrichs are the most seen. In Wilson’s “Winchester Engraving” he states that Nimschke has 13 recorded signatures but does not list them all. This rifle has been in a private collection for years and is new to the market.
Brian Lebel's High Noon Auction - January 23, 2016
Sold $12,980