LOT #40104 |
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Rare Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle, Engraved and Signed by Thomas F. O'Connell. ...
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Description
New York Master Engraver.
Rare Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle, Engraved and
Signed by Thomas F. O'ConnellSerial no. 21064, .44 RF, 24 1/2-inch octagonal barrel marked HENRY'S PATENT - OCT. 16 - 1860 / KING'S PATENT - MARCH 29, 1866. Nickel finish barrel and magazine. Gold plated receiver, buttplate and forend cap [over brass]. Gun is highly embellished and signed by New York Master Engraver Thomas F. O'Connell, [T F.O'C] on underside of the receiver. Left side of the receiver plate is adorned by a highly detailed patriotic American eagle motif, and the right side receiver plate has in script letters I J S. Highly fancy American walnut marked with "XXX" on bottom tang. Sling swivels on buttstock and forend. Crescent buttplate with trap, 4-piece cleaning rod present. The number 21064 is found on the inside of the buttplate. Gun was manufactured in 1869, according to Winchester records.
Please note: This gun is featured on page 42 of R.L. Wilson's book, The Book of Winchester Engraving. This rifle for many years was believed to have been engraved by LDN and presented to international sales agent for Winchester, Thomas F. O'Connor. It wasn't until recently when that information was updated and stated the fact that the rifle was engraved by Thomas F. O'Connell, a New York Master Engraver.
Provenance: Jim Tant;
John Malloy Collection;
Raymond Bentley Collection;
East Coast Auction;
Current owner.
Condition: Fine; Barrel and magazine retain 95% plus nickel with some light frosting. Nice overall patina to frame with gold plating traces to protected areas and buttplate. Mild patina to hammer, lever and high traffic parts. Loading gate retains a strong 90-95% bluing. Stocks with strong finish, with fine scratches and some loss to varnish. Some stress marks present near wrist on right side. Also on buttstock, a few chips out and has a hairline crack that runs from the back of both sides, possible wood imperfection. Bore very good, mechanically sound. Collection of a Southern Gentleman.
Auction Info
2023 June 19 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6271 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2023
19th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,587
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