3028 LOUIS D. NIMSCHKE HIGHLY ENGRAVED WINCHESTER 1866

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This item SOLD at 2025 Nov 01 @ 10:35UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 7,500.00 USD
Estimated at 15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 44 HRF. S# 109795 followed by stamped "D B". Bbl. 24" octagon w/ sporting front & graduated leaf rear sight. Silver finished brass action w/ case colored hammer, trigger & lever. Action has exquisite full coverage engraving by master engraver Louis D. Nimschke. Circular shell design on the receiver bottom includes a banner w/ "LDN" engraver's signature. Right side of receiver has an open space for inscriptions under a shell design. Left sideplate features an American eagle. Scenes are surrounded by full coverage vine type scroll & punch dot backgrounds that continue to upper & lower receiver areas, along w/ forearm cap & brass crescent trapdoor buttplate. An 1866 rifle w/ nearly identical engraving is pictured on page 112 of the Winchester Book by George Madis. Forearm & straight grip stock of fancy black walnut w/ sling swivels. Left inside of lower tang is stamped "R". Top tang channel of stock has assembly number "9795". S# indicates 1873 mfg. CONDITION: bbl. & mag. tube retain 80% lightly worn blue, showing scattered small spots of corrosion. Action, forearm cap & buttplate retain some silver finish in protected areas. Balance of the brass action & fittings exhibit a mild patina indicated previous cleaning. Stock & forearm have a very good refinish. Sound action. Dark lightly pitted bore retains intact rifling. (01-26429/DS). ANTIQUE. $15,000-25,000.