Winchester 1866: A Smart Collector's Move

If you've been collecting firearms for even a small amount of time, you know about the iconic Winchester Model 1866 rifle. A direct descendant of the developmentally significant Henry rifle, the Winchester '66 was the first firearm produced under the Winchester name.  While not seeing any measurable military use, they enjoyed a prolific use by citizens and pioneers headed West to conquer an untamed nation.  Winchester followed up its success by releasing the Model 1873 and Model 1876 in subsequent years, which grew the brand manufacturer ever larger and offered the public a bevy of new calibers and special order options.

Next year is a notably special year for collectors of Winchester rifles.  It marks the sesquicentennial of the beloved manufacturer and the attention that will be brought to these important rifles is likely to spur an increase in their desirability.  Thankfully, Rock Island Auction Company has come into a healthy number of these classic rifles, which will be appearing in the 2015 December Premiere Firearms Auction. In fact, there are 32(!) Winchester 1866 rifles in numerous configurations that will be available.  There are exceptional presentation pieces, tried and true saddle ring carbines, early production models, and everything in-between.  Here is a look at a handful of these rifles, hopefully with at least one example for every budget.

Historic, Deluxe, Factory Engraved Presentation Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

This rifle is tied with a saddle ring carbine for the highest estimate on an 1866.  Manufactured around 1869, this is definitely a deluxe version: factory engraved, fancy walnut stock with the high polish "piano" finish, and is gold plated on the receiver, forearm cap, and crescent buttplate.  As if the embellishments weren't enough, all the visible serial numbers match and it is engraved with the name of the "Montgomery Guard," part of the California State Militia.  The Montgomery Guard was formed in 1859, served throughout the Civil War, was mustered out of service in 1866, before being reborn again in 1868 as Company A, 1st Infantry Battalion of the California National Guard. The combination of special features and historical significance is one that many collectors find irresistible. We look forward to seeing where this very special Winchester will call home.

Exceptional Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine

This is the saddle ring carbine tied with the above rifle for the top estimate among Winchester 1866s.  While the rifle hangs its hat on its decoration and military ties, this SRC (saddle ring carbine) finds its high estimate based on its sterling condition.  Even after nearly 150 years, this gun is a near checklist of what collectors look for regarding condtion: high amounts of original blue finish, nice mustard-colored patina on the brass receiver, tight wood to metal fit, and screws that have not been mangled over time.  Even the buttplate, a location many guns are rested upon and prone to finish loss, still shows attractive case hardening.  We could go on about other original parts and its condition, but take our word for it, guns in this high of condition are only going to become more and more rare as time marches on.

Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Musket

This is the only Winchester 1866 Musket that we have in the 2015 December Premiere Auction.  Now, before I receive a bunch of comments correcting me about this being a musket, let me explain.  True, this rifle is not a musket.  It is not muzzle loaded nor does it use flintlock or percussion systems.  "Musket" was one of the three types of Winchester 66s that were available for purchase. There are the standard length rifle, the carbine, and the musket.  The carbine is obviously shorter than the rifle primarily for use while mounted on a horse, hence the "saddle ring carbine" name.  The "musket" Winchester 1866 is a longer rifle with a longer forearm and necessary extra barrel band.  Differences between the three are easy to spot when comparing the photos of this Winchester with those of the previous two examples. They were made primarily to appeal to military decision makers who were reluctant to leave their trusty muzzle loaders for new "repeater" technology.

A benefit to whomever wins this Winchester, besides potentially having a Winchester 66 of each barrel length, is the price. It's condition, listed as "fair" in our catalog, provides an excellent opportunity for someone to put a legendary rifle in their collection for a very attractive price.  Further sweetening the deal?  This particular 1866 musket was made in 1870, qualifying it as an antique.

Rare First Year Production Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Flat Side Carbine

Here's another Winchester that advanced collectors are sure to have their eyes on. Being a 66, it already receives its fair share, but being a rare, first year production is a prized possession for any collection.  One of the features that makes these early models so easy to spot is what is called the flat gate, resulting in what is known as a "flat side" carbine.  They are also called flat sides because the receiver is flat where it meets the wood of the forearm.  Receivers of later models flared out slightly before meeting the wood.

Looking at the loading gate in the previous three examples, one notices a certain contour added to the cover of the loading gate to ease loading the gun at the breech.  Early models did not have that contour; instead, the gate was flat.  Early models also often possess other early traits, many of which were carry overs from the Henry rifle that disappeared in the subsequent models of the 1866 (there are four models total).  Besides the flat gate, this SRC also has the early traits of: Henry and King patent dates on the barrel, a two screw upper tang, and a Henry style rear receiver profile, known as the "Henry drop." This term refers to the rounded downward curve of the top of the receiver as it proceeds to the wrist.  As Henrys turned into Winchesters and subsequent Winchesters became more refined, that drop and the adjacent angular transition into the straight grip grew more streamlined and less defined.

Making this flat side even more desirable is the fact that it is all original. These guns were "working guns" that saw lots of hard use.  To find one at all, let alone in this condition is an impressive feat and a fantastic addition to any collection.

Attractive Panel Scene Engraved Winchester Model 1866 Carbine

Gorgeous wood and some well executed panel scenes make this a 1866 a 150-year old piece of eye candy.  The gun was manufactured in 1871 and the custom engraving was performed in the mid-20th century.  Even though the gun is not in its original form, its tastefully and professionally performed embellishments should earn this gun 5-figures at auction.  The entire left side of the receiver has been transformed into a single, bordered panel scene of a horse-borne hunter culling a buffalo from a herd fleeing across the plains with towering pines, majestic mountains, and a swirling sky providing the backdrop. The right side of the receiver breaks down into several framed scenes or subjects, which is a far more common style to see on even the finest of engraved firearms.  The scene to the rear of the loading gate is a frontiersman firing at a bear that is nearly upon him, which is bordered by Ulrich-style scroll work.  A small oval forward of the loading gate features the framed head of a bison. The receiver and buttplate are also gold plated. While some post-factory work has taken place on the gun, the barrel, magazine, barrel bands, hammer, lever, and trigger all still bear the original blue and casehardened finish, making for a very attractive gun with tangible links to its original configuration.

Very Fine Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter

Another interesting SRC! Not only is it rated as "very fine" condition, but it likely has retained that condition despite being to South America and back. The underside of the stock behind the tang is stamped with a banner cartouches that contain the script letters "AOS" (shown above). Experts believe that this cartouche was a marking applied to some of the nearly 12,000 Model 1866 carbines in the 135,000-148,000 serial number range that were sold to a location in South America (possibly Argentina) in 1877. This marking is described and illustrated on page 65 of "THE WINCHESTER BOOK" by George Madis. It's always good to see a Winchester 66 back home Stateside!  Encyclopedic collectors of this model will find this an intriguing and most desirable piece.

Henry Rifles of Note

With he upcoming surge in Winchester 1866 lever actions on the horizon, some of that popularity is likely to spill over into the Henry rifles and other guns produced by new Haven Arms that gave rise to these celebrated lever guns. Fortunately, RIAC will also feature several outstanding Volcanics and Henry rifles, two of the latter come to us from the renowned Mac McCroskie Collection.  Here are a few of them in brief.

Lot 1038: Exceptional New Haven Arms Henry Second Model Lever Action Rifle from the Legendary Mac McCroskie Collection

Lot 25: Scarce Deluxe, First Model Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle

Lot 3008: Fine Civil War Martially Inspected New Haven Arms Company Henry Lever Action Rifle From the Legendary Mac McCroskie Collection

Lot 15: The Only Known Matching Pair of Consecutively Serial Numbered Volcanic Lever 
Action Carbines with 16 1/2 Inch barrel

Much of the information presented in this article will be old hat for seasoned Winchester collectors, but for those more familiar with other genres, hopefully this shines a light into the variety, features, history, and embellishments that collectors of these guns seek out.  Also, make no mistake, Winchester 1866 rifles are anything but commonplace. Don't let the abundance of them in this auction fool you into thinking anything else.  Take the opportunity to pick the ones you want for your own collection, before the rush on these quintessential lever guns is on.



-Written by Joel R. Kolander

Guns Close to Buffalo Bill

Few names conjure up images of the Wild West quicker than that of Buffalo Bill Cody.  Born less than 30 miles from where I sit,  Buffalo Bill needs no introduction to those familiar with the history of the Old West.  The Union scout, Pony Express rider, Civil War soldier, Medal of Honor recipient, and buffalo hunter, turned showman in 1883, founding his "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show and taking it on tour across the country and even into Britain and Europe on several occasions.  It is speculated by several historians that he was one of, if not the most, recognizable celebrity at the end of very end of the 1800s.

At his shows he brought all the romance and violence of the West to life.  There were horsemen from numerous cultures, shooters of incomparable skill such as Annie Oakley, riding roping, races, and reenactments of scenes depicting the Pony Express, stagecoach robberies, and Indian attacks on a pioneer's cabin.  Other big names helped draw the crowds too, such as Sitting Bull and around 20 of his braves.  All of these activities were performed by people with real skills and to audiences in urban environments, it must have seemed as if the West had come to life right before their eyes.  When it was all said and done, Buffalo Bill  owned a massive ranch in Nebraska with an 18-room mansion, had performed for royalty of several nations and in the Roman amphitheater, helped found the city of Cody, Wyoming, supported the rights of women and Native Americans, and eventually had a football team named after him.  Not too shabby.


With a man so associated with hunting, scouting, the plains, the Old West, Native Americans, sharp shots, and the Civil War, it should come as no surprise that there were more than few guns in the man's life and in the lives of those around him.  In fact, the book "The Peacemakers" by R.L. Wilson is dedicated to detailing Cody's collection.  Guns of Buffalo Bill and one of his performers are coming up for auction in Rock Island Auction Company's December 2014 Premiere Firearms Auction.  Here's a look at what will be crossing the auction block.

Documented "National Treasure" Factory Engraved and Inscribed Savage Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol Presented To Buffalo Bill Cody By The Factory

Given to Cody in 1911, this Special Grade M1907 Savage in .32 caliber is certainly a switch from the high-use, rough and tumble revolver one may have pictured Buffalo Bill using.  However, much publicity was gained by Savage thanks to Cody's endorsement and praise of the little shooter.  In fact, Cody went on to purchase several more of the pistols engraved and gave them as gifts.  The pistol's provenance is well-known and can be impeccably traced all the way back to its 1911 Savage factory ledger.  It has been featured in numerous publications and was once on loan to the Buffalo Bill Museum inside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.  Given Buffalo Bill's place in American history, one would expect to find any gun with his association to be on exhibit.  Finding one available for public sale, just may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The pistol, like most of Buffalo Bill's guns, shows some signs of wear and use, but they are minuscule compared to some of his other firearms which saw hard use.  It still wears 95% of its original factory blue finish and still shows signs of bright casehardening on the trigger.  The engraving, which Wilson calls, "superbly done," is crisp and sharp, as is the ever important inscription on the backstrap that reads, "COL. W.F. CODY."  Setting this gun even further apart are the mother-of-pearl grips that still glimmer with iridescence.

The historical significance of this pistol is difficult to overestimate.  First of all, Buffalo Bill Cody is a staple of American history and folk lore.  He introduced literally millions of Americans and Europeans to the adventure and hardships of the West through his showmanship, talent, and hard work.  Also, as mentioned earlier, most firearms owned by Buffalo Bill have found their way into museums and are not available on the private market.  Furthermore, even those pistols that are in museums, R.L. Wilson in his post-examination letter writes, "...Cody owned very few automatic pistols, and Savage no. 33177 is the only one known to the writer in any collection or museum."  Add to those rarities, its excellent condition, and you have a combination of traits that sends collectors scrambling: rarity, originality, historical significance, and high condition.

Two Sequentially Numbered Smith & Wesson Victory Model Double Action Revolvers with Ken Maynard Inscriptions, Belt, and Holsters 

One man that was featured in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show was Ken Maynard.  His career started as a young man working in circuses and carnivals training to become a horseman.  It wouldn't take long for his skill to receive notice.  Soon he was working in rodeos, becoming a rodeo champion, and eventually earning a spot performing horse riding tricks and feats that were a staple of the Buffalo Bill shows.  Horse riders from a vast array of cultures would often parade to start each show showing their uniforms and weapons, and giving audiences a taste of some "exotic" customs.  Trick riding and racing were also important parts of the show, so a man of Maynard's talents would have been a valuable addition.  Look at the following posters for Buffalo Bill's Wild West to whether or not horsemanship would have been critical to the show and to audiences.

Maynard's career would then take him to Hollywood to be a "singing cowboy," earn him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and return to him work at circuses, state fairs, and rodeos before alcoholism shortened his career and ruined his finances.

The revolvers are a pair of consecutively numbered Smith & Wesson Victory Model DA revolvers.  The Victory models are the 5-screw variety and they have been highly customized.  Perhaps most noticeably are the jeweled polish applied to the hammer and trigger.  Also distinct are the added raised ribs with their checkerboard engraving and blade front sights, the smooth grips, a small "P" stamped into the left side of the frame between the cylinder and the hammer, and of course the inscriptions of "KEN - MAYNARD" on each butt.

The pair of revolvers also come with an exceptional holster rig made by G.S. Garcia Company, one of most notable leather shops in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Guadalupe S. Garcia was a master saddler, leather carver, silversmith, and engraver.  His vision of quality involved him at all stages of the business and creative processes.  Even as a burgeoning business man at the age of 19, he quickly gained a reputation as a master craftsman, in part thanks to his previous apprenticeships.

Business would grow and expand as demand for his beautiful and quality products increased.  Eventually Garcia would hire on only the most talented of craftsmen to help make his saddles, spurs, bridles, bits and mouthpieces, chaps, rope, and other assorted leather and horse hair goods.  In 1904 Garcia made a masterpiece saddle for the World's Fair in St. Louis.  It was unimaginable and hands down took the gold medal.  That same year, it was placed in the Lewis & Clark Exposition in Portland, OR, where it won its second gold medal - a feat never before accomplished or matched since.  It is best described in the words of Howard Hickson,

"He decided to craft a saddle to take to the World's Fair. He and his workers assembled the finest saddle ever made. Using flawless leather, they dyed it black, carved in American Beauty roses, and then adorned it with gold, silver, and diamonds. It was truly a leather throne.  Across the rear of the fork were several $20 gold pieces with likenesses of President Theodore Roosevelt and two governors of Nevada, John Sparks and William Nye. Other gold pieces were carved with the famous three fairy horses with diamonds set in their eyes. An engraved eagle was set into the back of the cantle. It was a leather masterpiece and it lived up to its creator's expectation by winning two gold medals. It was the best in world."

Does his quality, craftsmanship, skill, and artistic touch need any further endorsement?  The man was a master and this holster rig is no exception to his work.

The rig has space for twelve cartridges and carries two highly decorated "Mexican loop" holsters.  Also bearing Maynard's name, "KEN" has been tooled into the leather on the belt above each of one of the holsters.  This is some beautiful leatherwork that is just begging to be worn again.




There you have it friends. Each item is an exciting collectible in its own right and associated to someone considered "the best of the best" at what they do.  Both also have ties to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, one of the most recognizable figures of the Old West and a international symbol of the era.  If items like this get your heart pumping be sure to search the rest of our catalog for all sorts of fascinating, historic, beautiful, and expertly created firearms, bladed weapons, and much more.  It can be found at www.rockislandauction.com




-Written by Joel Kolander









SOURCES:

http://www.gbcnv.edu/hickson/Garcia.html

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562770/bio

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/63/lid/1064

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/63/lid/3504

Good Things Come in Pairs: John Ulrich

They say that "good things come in pairs," so why should Rock Island Auction Company be any exception to this long-lived idiom?  Without any further ado, let's take a look at two extraordinary rifles in Rock Island Auction Company's September 2014 Premiere Firearms Auction.  This will be the first of several of this type of article that juxtaposes deserving items worthy of collectors' attention.  Today's focus is a twosome of classic Winchester model 1866 lever action rifles

The first of these two iconic rifles was manufactured in 1869 and is factory engraved and signed by legendary artist John Ulrich.  Besides providing a spectacular example of the master engraver's early work of scrolls, animal heads, punch dot backgrounds, and geometrically framed panels, on the receiver, both tangs, forearm cap, and buttplate, it also boasts casehardened pieces, silver-plating, an original leather sling, and a beautiful, variegated, polished walnut stock and forearm.  Even the sights are the rare "Rocky Mountain" style in the front and the folding Henry-style tang sight at the rear.

Considering all these special features, the most notable characteristic of this rifle is its serial number, 36481.  This serial number combined with its engraving make it the earliest known John Ulrich engraved and signed Winchester.  The previous earliest known appeared in R.L. Wilson's "The Book of Winchester Engraving" on page 138, and was serial number 36484.  Early Winchesters are, at the risk of stating the obvious, some of the most sought after collectible firearms.  Add a high condition grading and you've just exponentially multiplied the value.  To top it all off with historical significance, an early production of a beloved model that bears the earliest known work of a master engraver, and you have everything you need to draw the rapt attention of the foremost collectors.

The second of the two Winchester '66 rifles came to be not too long after the first.  However, the date of production is likely the only way in which serial number 103671 cannot match its partner in this article.  It is another superb example of the first rifle to bear the Winchester name.  This third model 1866 instantly demands your attention with its superbly aesthetic, exhibition grade, factory performed master engraving.  The receiver is smothered with vines and four panel scenes depicting elk and stags.  Our official item description says it best, "The flawlessly executed engraving has a three-dimensional, relief quality and represents some of John Ulrich's best and most elaborate work."  What else needs to be said of Ulrich's work after such high and deserved praise?

In addition to the receiver, the master engraving also extends to the forearms cap, both tangs, and the buttplate.  The receiver is gold-plated and nestled between a stock and forearms made from "3X" fancy grain walnut with a high polish piano finish.  It is simply a stunning piece that requires a viewer spend adequate time with it to appreciate it in all its finery.

The selection of Winchesters, Henrys, and Volcanics in Rock Island Auction Company's September 2014 Firearms Auction is not to be missed.  There will be Civil War production models, marvelous factory engraved receivers, opulent inlays, martially inspected pieces, stunning high condition items, and those with rich histories.  We can't wait to show you more of what is in store for September's auction, so be sure to read next week's article for another fascinating pair of collector firearms.