This Winchester Model 1866 rifle was manufactured in 1886. The rifle has the Fourth Model frame profile, serial number located on the lower tang between the lever latch and the tang screw and late, crescent steel buttplate. The rifle has a blue, 24-inch octagon barrel and full-length magazine. The brass frame has a gold plated finish. The forearm cap, hammer, lever and crescent buttplate are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. The barrel has a replacement dovetail mounted front sight with German silver blade and a buckhorn sporting rear sight. The upper receiver tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight. The buttplate has a sliding brass trap door. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN. CT./ KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. "44 CAL" is stamped on the top barrel flat ahead of the receiver. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is stamped "44 CAL." in script letters. The serial number, "165184" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang.

Very good. The gold plated finish on the receiver is period, but may not be factory work. The barrel and magazine have a silver-gray patina with scattered age discoloration, traces of light pitting and some minor scratches and dents. The brass frame is good and retains nearly 20% of the gold plated finish in protected areas. The side plate joints are tight. The frame has moderate handling wear with light dents and scratches. The forearm cap, hammer, lever and buttplate have a silver-gray patina with scattered spots of age discoloration. The stock and forearm are good with moderate handling wear. There is a small chip in the right side of the forearm at the junction with the forend cap and two small holes in the underside of the forearm. The markings on the barrel are sharp and the caliber marking on the cartridge elevator is light but legible. This is a solid representative example of a highly desirable Winchester Model 1866 rifle.