EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ONE OF A KIND ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 CARBINE MADE FOR KING ALPHONSO XII OF SPAIN.

SN 118292. Cal. 44RF Henry. Extremely rare deluxe carbine, gold & nickel finish with 20″ bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight & 2 position carbine rear sight graduated 100,300 & 500 yards. Top of bbl is roll marked with the Winchester & King’s Patents. Receiver never had the carbine staple & ring installed, being a rifle receiver with carbine parts. Mounted with exceptional, about 3X, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and rifle crescent buttplate with trap which contains 1-pc of a brass & steel wiping rod. Bottom of buttstock & bbl band have factory swing swivels. Receiver has full coverage, foliate arabesque pattern engraving from the hand of renowned Master Engraver L. D. Nimschke. Engraving consists of multiple intertwined, extremely well executed foliate arabesque patterns with incredible shading and pearled background. Left side plate is engraved with an oval vignette with the head of an English Pointer bird dog, reportedly the favorite hunting dog breed of King Alfonso XII. Right side plate is engraved with a major fan pattern and foliate arabesque scroll that terminates in a flower blossom. Front side panels are virtually identically engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns. The transition flats from the side plates to the front side panels are engraved in diamond patterns with very fine stippled background. Top of the receiver & around the hammer slot are engraved in matching patterns with kidney shaped patterns incorporated into the engraving on the top side flats. Edges of the ejection port are engraved in feather patterns and top of the receiver ring is engraved with a very detailed half flower blossom. Bottom of the carrier is engraved with light arabesque patterns. The top tang of the buttplate is engraved to match with Mr. Nimschke trademark flower blossom rosette around the screw hole. Additional deluxe features are the engraved on sides of the hammer & lever and bbl bands, a feature rarely found on engraved Winchesters. The receiver, bbl bands & buttplate are gold-washed, probably over silver, while the lever, hammer, trigger, bbl & magazine tube are nickel finished. The sling swivel, base & loop in the buttstock are also gold-washed. Left side of lower tang is marked “VXX”. It is unknown the meaning of the “V”, however the “XX” signifies higher quality of wood. Top tang channel of buttstock & inside toe of buttplate are marked with matching SNs to this carbine. The wrist of the buttstock has had a minor crack repaired which necessitated restoration of finish. The repaired crack is undetectable. Accompanied by 2 small inventory tags that were formerly attached to the buttstock and were removed prior to refinishing the stock (see image). One tag is dated 1943 and the other 1961. The 1961 tag is apparently dealing with royalty having a crown at top center over “PATRIMONIO NACIONAL” (the public agency of the Ministry of the Presidency who administers the palace). The bottom line states “Palacio de (hand written) Oriente” (the Oriental Palace and the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid). The last monarch who had full time residence in the palace was King Alfonso XIII. Also accompanied by a 28 page letter from renowned historian, researcher & author, R.L. Wilson wherein he waxes eloquently about the features of this carbine and its history. He states that this carbine was made for King Alphonso XII of Spain (1857-1885) who passed it to his son, the famed sportsman & marksman King Alphonso XIII (1886-1941) where it descended down the royal line until it was sold in 2014. Mr. Wilson unequivocally identifies the work as that of Mr. Nimschke himself. He lists numerous illustrations of identical features of Mr. Nimschke’s work as found on this carbine as illustrated in Mr. Wilson’s book L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver along with numerous other engraving features identified to Mr. Nimschke in many other publications. Mr. Wilson relates that King Alphonso XII was an avid & accomplished hunter and outdoorsman who was an regular participant in the Calpe Hunt, an historic outing held on Gibraltar, dating back to 1812. His son, King Alphonso XIII, along with King Edward VII of England in 1906 became the joint patrons of this famed hunt which continued until 1939, the beginning of WWII. In 1906 under the patronage of these 2 kings, the hunt became known as the “Royal Calpe Hunt”. There is another Winchester rifle, a Model 1873 1 of 1000 documented to King Alphonso XII which has nickel finish and there are numerous other recorded documentation of firearms owned by both King Alphonso XII & King Alphonso XIII, most of which are elaborately engraved and of royal presentation quality. PROVENANCE: King Alfonso XII; King Alfonso XIII; Spanish Royal Family. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 97-98% strong orig nickel with a few small freckles & a couple of small scratches. Bbl bands retain traces of gold-wash being mostly grey metal patina. Receiver & sideplates retain virtually all of their orig gold-wash. Lever, hammer, trigger & loading gate retain virtually all of their orig nickel finish with a few scattered freckles. Buttplate retains virtually all of its orig gold-wash, moderately thin, with a series of small nicks on the face at the heel. The buttstock, with the aforementioned repair has a few minor nicks & scratches and retains about all of its fine custom restored finish. Forearm has a series of small scratches around the center, probably from an old gun rack and retains about all of its orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, appears to be unfired. Bolt face retains virtually all of it orig factory blue. Wiping rod section also appears to be new. 49154-1 JR (200,000-300,000) – Lot 3012

| Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - October 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3012	$0.00	EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ONE OF A KIND ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 CARBINE MADE FOR KING ALPHONSO XII OF SPAIN. SN 118292. Cal. 44RF Henry. Extremely rare deluxe carbine, gold & nickel finish with 20″ bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight & 2 position carbine rear sight graduated 100,300 & 500 yards. Top of bbl is roll marked with the Winchester & King’s Patents. Receiver never had the carbine staple & ring installed, being a rifle receiver with carbine parts. Mounted with exceptional, about 3X, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and rifle crescent buttplate with trap which contains 1-pc of a brass & steel wiping rod. Bottom of buttstock & bbl band have factory swing swivels. Receiver has full coverage, foliate arabesque pattern engraving from the hand of renowned Master Engraver L. D. Nimschke. Engraving consists of multiple intertwined, extremely well executed foliate arabesque patterns with incredible shading and pearled background. Left side plate is engraved with an oval vignette with the head of an English Pointer bird dog, reportedly the favorite hunting dog breed of King Alfonso XII. Right side plate is engraved with a major fan pattern and foliate arabesque scroll that terminates in a flower blossom. Front side panels are virtually identically engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns. The transition flats from the side plates to the front side panels are engraved in diamond patterns with very fine stippled background. Top of the receiver & around the hammer slot are engraved in matching patterns with kidney shaped patterns incorporated into the engraving on the top side flats. Edges of the ejection port are engraved in feather patterns and top of the receiver ring is engraved with a very detailed half flower blossom. Bottom of the carrier is engraved with light arabesque patterns. The top tang of the buttplate is engraved to match with Mr. Nimschke trademark flower blossom rosette around the screw hole. Additional deluxe features are the engraved on sides of the hammer & lever and bbl bands, a feature rarely found on engraved Winchesters. The receiver, bbl bands & buttplate are gold-washed, probably over silver, while the lever, hammer, trigger, bbl & magazine tube are nickel finished. The sling swivel, base & loop in the buttstock are also gold-washed. Left side of lower tang is marked “VXX”. It is unknown the meaning of the “V”, however the “XX” signifies higher quality of wood. Top tang channel of buttstock & inside toe of buttplate are marked with matching SNs to this carbine. The wrist of the buttstock has had a minor crack repaired which necessitated restoration of finish. The repaired crack is undetectable. Accompanied by 2 small inventory tags that were formerly attached to the buttstock and were removed prior to refinishing the stock (see image). One tag is dated 1943 and the other 1961. The 1961 tag is apparently dealing with royalty having a crown at top center over “PATRIMONIO NACIONAL” (the public agency of the Ministry of the Presidency who administers the palace). The bottom line states “Palacio de (hand written) Oriente” (the Oriental Palace and the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid). The last monarch who had full time residence in the palace was King Alfonso XIII. Also accompanied by a 28 page letter from renowned historian, researcher & author, R.L. Wilson wherein he waxes eloquently about the features of this carbine and its history. He states that this carbine was made for King Alphonso XII of Spain (1857-1885) who passed it to his son, the famed sportsman & marksman King Alphonso XIII (1886-1941) where it descended down the royal line until it was sold in 2014. Mr. Wilson unequivocally identifies the work as that of Mr. Nimschke himself. He lists numerous illustrations of identical features of Mr. Nimschke’s work as found on this carbine as illustrated in Mr. Wilson’s book L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver along with numerous other engraving features identified to Mr. Nimschke in many other publications. Mr. Wilson relates that King Alphonso XII was an avid & accomplished hunter and outdoorsman who was an regular participant in the Calpe Hunt, an historic outing held on Gibraltar, dating back to 1812. His son, King Alphonso XIII, along with King Edward VII of England in 1906 became the joint patrons of this famed hunt which continued until 1939, the beginning of WWII. In 1906 under the patronage of these 2 kings, the hunt became known as the “Royal Calpe Hunt”. There is another Winchester rifle, a Model 1873 1 of 1000 documented to King Alphonso XII which has nickel finish and there are numerous other recorded documentation of firearms owned by both King Alphonso XII & King Alphonso XIII, most of which are elaborately engraved and of royal presentation quality. PROVENANCE: King Alfonso XII; King Alfonso XIII; Spanish Royal Family. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 97-98% strong orig nickel with a few small freckles & a couple of small scratches. Bbl bands retain traces of gold-wash being mostly grey metal patina. Receiver & sideplates retain virtually all of their orig gold-wash. Lever, hammer, trigger & loading gate retain virtually all of their orig nickel finish with a few scattered freckles. Buttplate retains virtually all of its orig gold-wash, moderately thin, with a series of small nicks on the face at the heel. The buttstock, with the aforementioned repair has a few minor nicks & scratches and retains about all of its fine custom restored finish. Forearm has a series of small scratches around the center, probably from an old gun rack and retains about all of its orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, appears to be unfired. Bolt face retains virtually all of it orig factory blue. Wiping rod section also appears to be new. 49154-1 JR (200,000-300,000) – Lot 3012 \| Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ONE OF A KIND ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 CARBINE MADE FOR KING ALPHONSO XII OF SPAIN.