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1866 WINCHESTER CARBINE, CAPTURED AT WOUNDED KNEE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
1866 WINCHESTER CARBINE, CAPTURED AT WOUNDED KNEE

AND ATTRIBUTED TO SARGEANT WILLIAM JAMES, 7TH US CAVALRY WHO WAS KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN. 44 Cal. S#120168. Standard configuration of Model 1866 “yellow boy” made in 1874. This was a prized firearm of anyone fighting in the west. This rifle was on display in 2012 at the NRA Whittington Center, Raton, NM. Executive director Wayne Armacost, stated in curator’s corner video "It is very, very probable and likely that this gun is just an incredible part of American history that was lost at the Little Big Horn and recovered at Wounded Knee." There is article published in Summer 2006 Winchester Collector bulletin concerning this weapon’s possible attribution to Sergeant William B. James, Co. E, 7th Cavalry, killed at Battle of Little Big Horn. “It is believed that Sergeant James was carrying his own personal Winchester 1866 on that fateful day in June 1876. It is further believed that this carbine was picked up by a Sioux Warrior and later recovered at Wounded Knee in 1890.” What made the owner of this carbine commit over 20 years of research, in trying to tie this carbine to two historical events? Under the upper tang is lightly inscribed "Cpl. James”, the lower tang has stamped "WOUNDED KNEE 12 29 1890". Of the weapons taken at Wounded Knee by the US Army were 4 Winchesters. Army letter from Rock Island Arsenal states these Wounded Knee weapons were given to Indian agent J.W. Ellis in 1897, with tags
showing ownership Indian Chiefs: Red Cloud, Crow Necklace, Poorbear, Sitting Eagle 2, White Tail, and Broken-In. Various scholars mentioned in The Winchester Collector article believe the inscriptions shown and the overall aesthetics of this weapon are very similar to other known captured Indian arms. There are no known Winchesters used by Troopers at Little Big Horn. However, there are privately owned weapons used by several of the Troopers known. In the archeological study of the Little Big Horn battle site, The US Department of Interior, National Park Service issued a report that has verified 47 different types of guns used on the battlefield, including 44 Cal. Model 1866 Winchesters, though these were all thought to have been used by the Indians. No weapons were left on the battlefield as the Indians took them all. Regardless, we know the weapon was taken at Wounded Knee. Our consignor has enjoyed this gun for over 30 years in his collection, but now in his 80s, it is time for a new caretaker. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 9-pg article published in Summer 2006 Winchester Collector Magazine, additional research documents. CONDITION:Good-very good, old cleaning with now toned brass, gray iron patina, barrel address partly obscured by pitting, other marking & inscription all discernible, stocks sound with expected wear from 20 years of use in the west. Mechanics good, good rifled bore. (01-21786/JS). ANTIQUE. $30,000-50,000.