Make: Winchester
Model: 1866 Carbine, 2nd Model
Serial Number: 18480
Year of Manufacture: 1868
Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire
Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20" Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the front barrel band. The rear sight is a two-position folding sight, presenting either a "V"-notch (marked "1") or with a taller leaf having a "V"-notched aperture (marked "3") and another "V"-notch at the top edge (marked "5").
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight comb, straight grip, and brass crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (there is a three-piece cleaning rod in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches with a few more notable marks. There are repaired losses in the wrist and one chip at the top-front corner on the left. There is a thin crack in the left-front of the wrist. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has gone to a mustard patina with scattered nicks and scratches. Overall, the stocks are in Good Plus condition as refinished and repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Brass
Finish Originality: Original, some screws have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 3 or 4 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This carbine retains about 15% of its metal finish, all in the receiver. The receiver has gone to a fairly uniform mustard patina. The steel parts have mostly worn or been cleaned to white with scattered discoloration from oxidation. There are scattered nicks and scratches. There are tool marks around most screw heads, most notable on the front barrel band. There are several notable nicks on the bottom of the lifter and a couple around the bottom edges of the lifter channel. The saddle ring’s staple has minor play to the frame. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this carbine rates in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The lever is loose in the receiver and does not lock up properly. The lifter does not come down flush with the receiver. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The hammer does not have a half-cock safety. We have not fired this carbine. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a three-piece cleaning rod stored in the buttstock.
Our Assessment: The Model 1866 rifle was the first firearm to be built by the new Winchester Repeating Arms Company after they changed their name from the New Haven Arms Company in 1866. The Model 1866 was a much-improved version of the Henry rifle, with a loading port on the right side of the receiver featuring a spring-loaded cover, through which cartridges could be fed into a new solid magazine tube that was much stronger than the slotted tube used on the Henry. The loading gate precluded the need for an external follower, allowing for a walnut forend to be installed which prevented the user from burning their hands during extensive firing. The M-1866 was made in rifle, carbine, and musket configurations and in four different models dependent on date of manufacture. All of the different models were chambered in .44 Henry Rimfire, with some of the later 4th Models chambered in .44 Henry Centerfire and some converted to Centerfire later. All Winchester Model 1866s are collectible due to their age, and the relatively short time period over which they were made. The M-1866 was made up until the 1890s, but very few were produced after the M-1873 rifle was introduced with its improved centerfire cartridges. These Winchester “Yellow Boys” were highly prized and heavily used in the early post-bellum Old West, and many were rode hard and put away wet. Most Winchester collectors wouldn’t think their collection complete without at least all three configurations of the M-1866, while some would argue for every variation of the four different models.
This is a Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine 2nd Model from early in production, 1868. The carbine has wear consistent with its age, appearing to have had a long and useful life, and will be a great addition to a collection.
RIFLE