#42 • Deluxe Factory Cased L.D. Nimschke Engraved and Signed Model 1866 Presented by the King of Spain to Guillermo Crespo

Part of Fine Winchesters Auction (live auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Status: No sale

$500,000 - $700,000 .44 RF caliber, 24" octagonal barrel, S/N 36174. The "Guillermo Crespo" is the finest condition decorated 1866 Rifle known. The fire gilt brass frame was engraved by famed engraver Louis D. Nimschke. The left side adorned with the Spanish Royal Arms in a panel surrounded by superbly engraved scrolls further enhanced on the front with a Nimschke wheat pattern. The left side of the frame is fully engraved with Nimschke finest scroll work and Guillermo Crespo engraved in a riband. Top of frame engraved with scrolls, underside of frame is engraved as is lifter boldly stamp in a reserve "L.D.N.". This rifle is cased in its original rosewood case with a green silk rifle sling. The lining is blue with spaces for ten boxes of ammunition and a cartridge block for forty-four single rounds, of which thirty-nine remain. Guillermo Crespo was the highly respected Spanish Ambassador to Mexico following the defeat of Maximilian and the French. Crespo was important in maintaining relations with United States and Mexico, and for his exemplary service this rifle was presented to him by King Amadeo I. **The barrel retains 99% bright original factory blue, the magazine tube retains 99% of the original factory blue finish. The rear sight retains 99% of the factory original blue finish. Frame screws retain nearly 100% of the bright factory original blue finish. Frame retains nearly 100% bright fire gilding. Hammer retains 100% of the bright case coloring as does the trigger. The lever retains 98% of the bright blue finish. Engraved buttplate retains 99% of the bright gilding. The nose cap retains 99% of the bright gilding. Front sling swivel is gilled and retains most of that finish. Rear sling retains nearly 100% of the original blue finish. Finely figure Walnut stock and forearm retain nearly 100% of the factory piano The loading gate retains nearly all of the niter blue finish as does the bolt.** Provenance Herb Glass, Globe Requa, Clay P Bedford, John J. Malloy Publications, L.D. Nimschke scrap Book page , Decorated Firearms Collection of Clay P Bedford.