Possible Ulrich engraved Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine Lever Action Rifle
Our Assessment: This rifle is a Model 1866 Carbine with a 20" round barrel and still has its original rimfire bolt. The rifle has beautiful scroll engraving with animal scenes on the sideplates and receiver. With the serial number indicating that the receiver was produced in 1870, this rifle came along at a very interesting time for Winchester engraving, right at the dawn of the Ulrich era.Given that this rifle was not signed by its engraver, and detailed Winchester records are not available for this serial number, it is impossible to know for sure whether this rifle was factory engraved, but it sure looks good! The beautifully engraved rifle is in about Fine condition as refinished with about 70% of its new blued and brass finish, wear in the stocks consistent with responsible use over the past century and a half, a decent bore for a rifle of this age, and strong mechanics. All of the 1866 models are very collectable due to their age and the relatively short time period over which they were made: the M1866 was made up until the 1890's, but very few were made after the 1873 rifle was introduced with its improved center fire cartridges. Most Winchester collectors would never think that their collection was complete without at least all three variations of the M1866, while some would argue for all the variations of the four different models.
Make: Winchester
Model: 1866 SRC
Serial Number: 32290
Year of Manufacture: 1870, shipped 1875
Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire
Action Type: Lever Action
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT / KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCT. 16. 1860". The lower tang is marked "32290" and "B". The inside of the buttplate at the toe is marked "2290", also stamped on the upper tang inlet of the wrist. The brass parts, the receiver, sideplates, and buttplate, as well as the barrel bands have extensive scroll engraving with punch-dot shading. The left of the receiver has a bear scene rondel, while the right has a buffalo. The left sideplate has a stag scene rondel with an elk on the right.
Barrel Length: 20", Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the forward barrel band. The rear sight is a folding carbine sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with steel barrel band, brass crescent buttplate with trapdoor storage compartment, straight wrist and straight comb. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a more notable drag-line on the right of the buttstock toward the rear. There are no chips or cracks. The wood-to-metal fit is slightly imperfect, most notable around the edges of the buttplate. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered discoloration, mostly gone to a mustard patina. There is some light wear at the points of the heel and toe with a few scattered light nicks. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as ANTIQUE.
Type of Finish: Blue & Brass
Finish Originality: The barrel and magazine tube have been refinished. The engraving appears to be period, but is not signed. We cannot be sure if it is factory engraving.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 70% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel and magazine tube have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with thinning finish in some areas. The magazine tube has a small loss at the top-front edge. The receiver has gone to a mustard patina with the sideplates slightly darker than the surrounding surfaces. There is some verdigris in the lifter channel. The saddle ring is a little loose to the receiver, there appears to have been some attempt to fix this on the interior of the receiver. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible with well defined engraving and pretty good detail on the animal scenes. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine condition as refinished ANTIQUE.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though the lever is a little loose to the frame. The hammer has a half-cock safety. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: There is a three-piece cleaning rod stored in the buttstock.
CA LEGAL: ANTIQUE
RIFLE