Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

Plated and engraved Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle after Nimschke. 24" barrel, .44 Henry RF, Serial #119614. Manufactured in 1874. This is a 3rd model rifle with a blued octagon barrel and tube, dovetailed front sight, ladder rear sight to 900 yards, case color hammer and lever, and walnut stock sporting a rifle butt plate with trap door and four piece cleaning rod, matching forearm, and swivels. With stock removed, on the left side, is an "LDN NY" stamp. There is no assembly number present. The stock channel has matching last three digits of serial number as does the butt plate. The engraving pattern is after Nimschke and a similar pattern can be seen in his pull book on page 51 as printed in "L.D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver" by Wilson. The design is American scroll with punch dot background and features the running buck on the left side. Engraving is found on frame, forearm tip and butt plate, all of which are nickel plated. CONDITION: Excellent. Nickel plating shows some brass showing through but still at least 70%. Case colors have darkened. The barrel has a strong overall blue hue but some patina bleed is blending while the tube has some overall freckling with light salt and pepper. Wood is excellent, a hair shy to metal at stock with scattered light impressions. Bore is well defined with light abrasion. The two line Winchester barrel legend is crisp. The loading gate still retains some strong nitre blue finish. Screw heads are almost all true. A very handsome engraved Model 1866 rifle.