The legendary Winchester Model 1866 or "improved Henry" was one of the earliest and most widely used repeating rifles in the American West and saw use in conflicts over land, gold, and other resources on the frontier in the second half of the 19th century in the hands of settlers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, and hunters. It is the direct descendant of the Henry rifle and traces its lineage back to earlier repeaters like the Volcanic. This rifle was manufactured in 1869 as a third model with the serial number stamped in block numerals behind the trigger, and the distinctive brass receiver has the more moderately curved shape at the rear when compared to the earlier first and second models. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Henry's patent/King's improvement patent marking. The rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight. Sling swivels are mounted on the underside of the brass forend cap and walnut stock. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included four-piece cleaning rod.

Fine, retains 40% of the thinned original blue finish and 20% of the original case colors with the balance mostly a plum brown patina, and the fine receiver showing an attractively aged mellow brass patina. 30% of the original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The period revarnished wood is also fine with some scattered minor handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent.