VERY EARLY ENGRAVED WINCHESTER 1866 FIRST MODEL FLATSIDE CARBINE

VERY EARLY ENGRAVED WINCHESTER 1866 FIRST MODEL FLATSIDE CARBINE

01-24316
Cal. 44 HRF
S# 13187, marked on inside of lower tang

Bbl. 20″ carbine style. First model 1866 flatside carbine w/ King’s Improvement loading system. First model 66s are easily distinguishable by their lack of forearm flair. Brass receiver has full coverage engraving of the style done in the workshop of Louis Daniel Nimschke. Left side of receiver features the Mexican eagle & snake. Balance of receiver sides have vine type foliate scroll w/ punch dot backgrounds. Upper left edge of receiver is engraved “F. Maximiliano”. Upper right side is engraved “Empetador de Mejico”. It is believed that the Emperor Maximilian engraving was added at a later date. The primary receiver engraving likely done in the shop of L. D. Nimschke is believed to be correct and as much this may be the earliest known factory engraved Winchester rifle.

The model 1866s were serial numbered in the same range as the approximately 14,000 Henry rifles and overlap with Henry serial numbers. Magazine band mounted front sight with folding leaf rear sight. This rare carbine had a silver finished action w/ blued bbl. & mag. tube & case colored hammer & lever. Walnut carbine forearm & straight grip stock w/ brass crescent trapdoor rifle buttplate.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: included is a 17 page binder of information from noted author R. L. Wilson. The information states that this “model 1866 is the earliest known engraved Winchester”. Mr. Wilson speculates that it is logical that Oliver Winchester would have presented the first engraved Winchester to Emperor Maximilian due to the importance of establishing foreign sales. The binder goes on to discuss the merits of this rare carbine & the history of Winchester & his pursuit of international sales for his new rifle. Mr. Wilson ends his narrative w/ the following paragraph: “Considering all its many features, the writer regards Serial no. 13187 Model 1866 as an icon in the history of arms collecting. This historic work of art will be featured in future editions of the author’s Winchester An American Legend book, as well as in future Winchester engraving titles – and in any further tributes by the author to the artistry of L.D. Nimschke.”

STATUS: ANTIQUE