Winchester Model 1873 rifle manufactured c. 1882 and subsequently custom engraved as a copy most likely in the mid-late 20th century in the style of Louis D. Nimschke and marked "L.D.N.". The left side plate is engraved: "MANUEL CASSOLA" on a ribbon surrounded by scrollwork. The right side plate and the sides, top and bottom of the receiver, dust cover and forearm cap are engraved with Nimschke's American style scrollwork on a fine punch-dot background. A copy of Nimschke's "L.D.N" signature is engraved in a ribbon surrounded by scrollwork on the bottom of the receiver behind the cartridge elevator. The rifle barrel and magazine are blued, the forearm cap, receiver, dust cover and crescent buttplate are silver-plated, and the hammer, lever and trigger are color casehardened. The loading gate is niter blue. The stock and forearm are highly figured, fancy grain, walnut with a high polish piano finish. There are fine checkered panels on the forearm and stock wrist. The rifle has the Third Model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The full octagon barrel has a standard sporting style front sight with nickel silver blade and buckhorn sporting style rear sight. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped. The buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1865. OCTOBER 16, 1860" ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "-MODEL. 1873-" in fancy letters with foliate devices on either end of the marking. The serial number, "139990", is stamped in script on the lower tang behind the lever latch in an engraved panel.

Very fine as embellished. The rifle retains nearly 95% of the original blue finish on the barrel and magazine with a few very minor scratches and some high point wear. The forearm cap, receiver, dust cover and buttplate have 90% of the custom applied silver-plated finish with some tarnish and edge wear. The loading gate retains nearly all of the nitre blue finish, and at least 60% of the subdued case colors are present on the hammer, trigger and lever. The intricate and flawlessly executed scroll engraving is crisp and deep. The barrel and receiver markings are sharp. The stock and forearm have been professionally refinished and appear nearly mint with sharp recut checkering.