W4496 WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 TACK DECORATED RIFLE [A]

Description

W4496 WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 TACK DECORATED RIFLE; 24 inch octagon barrel chambered in 44 RF caliber with a dark pitted bore. Sights include a German silver Rocky Mountain blade front with a shortened folding ladder rear. There is an additional dovetail cut through the barrel address with a blank. Barrel and full length magazine tube are mostly a brown patina with some handling mars. The brass receiver has a dark mottled patina with scratches and small dents. Upper tang has a hole in it most likely for a tang sight. Hammer and lever are mostly a brown color. Brass forend cap has a hole for the sling swivel attachment. The rear sling swivel has been cut off leaving the base and pin. Forend cap and crescent brass buttplate match the patina of the receiver. Walnut forearm and straight grip stock have a dark weathered appearance. Forearm has 20 brass tacks and a crack on each side while the stock is decorated with 91 tacks and has a chips out by the tang and the toe. Some of the heads are broken off and you can see the square shanks indicating they are pre-1870 and this Winchester was made in 1870. Tacks were most prominent in the Fur Trade era and this type of ornamentation is often associated with Native American use. The weathered appearance is consistent with being out in the elements as a Native American used rifle would have. This is a good looking rifle that has character with a story and should display well.

ANTIQUE   $ 12,500.