^Lot 3018 VERY FINE SILVER & BLUE NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED

WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 CARBINE. Cal. 44. S# 46843B. This is an elegant and very fine condition 66 carbine manufactured in 1871 beautifully engraved and silver plated. This classic engraving style of Louis D. Nimschke is found on Henry rifles and 1866 rifles & carbines, often signed. Stylistic elements of Nimschke are shown in several texts and little doubt this was made in his shop. Standard configuration, 20" blued barrel with 2-line "King's Improvement" address, 2-leaf rear sight, integral pinched front sight on front barrel band. Mounted on select straight grain varnished walnut. Serial number 46843 found lower tang, and last four digits of number found inside butt plate and top channel of buttstock. Stock is also stamped "VII" in lower channel, "C" is stamped on lower tang under stock. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: old collection tag stating purchase at Louisville February 21, 2004. Several pages copied from the Winchester Engraving book and Nimschke's pattern book. CONDITION: fine overall, markings and engraving are all very good, frame retains about 90% original silver plate, but plate has about 60% silver, barrel three times about 80% thinning bright factory blue finish, stocks are sound with scattered storage dings and dents. Mechanically fine, bright rifled bore. (01-26424/JS). ANTIQUE. $20,000-30,000.