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ICONIC WINCHESTER 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
ICONIC WINCHESTER 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Cal. 44 HRF. S# 150741. Left side of stock has nail attached badge shaped rose gold tinted medallion. Inscription reads "SOUVENIER / A.D.W.L.LA SCOTT / PANTHER BILL / from / HON. W. F. CODY / BUFFALO BILL 1880". Buffalo Bill is known to have presented many Winchesters to honor friends & acquitances.
Bbl. 24 1/4" rnd. w/ sporting front sight & elevator adj. sporting rear sight. Full length tubular mag. Brass action w/ case colored hammer & lever. Left side of frame has evidence of 2 holes from saddle ring staple attachment. Walnut forearm & straight grip stock w/ crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. Inside lower stock tang stamped "35" & "650". Top tang channel of stock & inside of butt plate toe have corresponding number "35". S# indicates 1879 mfg. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: accompanied by a bound book of the W.M. Locke collection copyright 1973 by the Antique Armory Inc. Page 505 pictures this rifle & describes Wiliam Locke's acquisition of it "This rifle was obtained from F. Theodore Dexter in March 1930 for $75". Copies of Photos of William F Cody in Paris 1896 & 1876 photo of Wild Bill, Texas Jack & Buffalo Bill Cody accompany the rifle. This historic rifle made an appearance on the Tulsa edition of the Antiques Road Show where it was appraised by arms dealer J Christopher Mitchell. Iron patch jag found in buttstock compartment. CONDITION: bbl. & mag. tube retain over 75% lightly faded blue showing muzzle & carry wear w/ scattered scratches & spots of dark freckling. Receiver has a mild patina appearance. Sides of hammer & lever retain faint traces of case colors. Wood has added finish over wear w/ scratches & handling marks. Bore is generally bright w/ sound rifling showing scattered spots of corrosion & light pitting in grooves. (01-19941/DS). ANTIQUE. $15,000-25,000.