This is a solid example of a late production Winchester Model 1866 fourth model saddle ring carbine as manufactured in 1882, with only 3,400 rifles and carbines manufactured that year. The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER-REPEATING-ARMS NEW HAVEN CT. / KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866.OCTOBER 16. 1860", between the barrel band and the rear sight. The 20 inch round barrel has two barrel bands with a block iron front sight mounted on the barrel with a folding leaf carbine rear sight. It has an all brass receiver and side plates with the staple and saddle ring mounted on the left rear side. There are no visible caliber markings on top of the barrel, however has the correct rimfire firing pin on the breech bolt. The serial number (159288) is located on the rear of the lower receiver tang behind the locking latch. It originally had an all blue barrel and magazine tube, with a color casehardened hammer and lever. It is fitted with a standard walnut buttstock with a carbine steel buttplate with the brass trapdoor and standard carbine forearm.

Fair condition overall with darkened brass patina on the receiver and side plates mixed with some old aged dark black spots. The action screws show some minor buggering on a couple of them, however it was done 50-70 years ago as they all show that heavy dried grease and dirt, typically seen on honest, unaltered Winchester carbines. The side plates do not appear to ever have been removed. The barrel, magazine tube, loading lever and hammer have all turned a dark brown patina finish from years of use and handling. The stock and forend are both original and show years of hard use with wear along the edges with the wood having shrunk and pulled away slightly from the metal. The upper left side of the stock area (behind the saddle ring) has a small two inch crack starting, and the stock is slightly loose. The sides of the wood have that weathered look from years of use on the frontier prairie. A nice early vintage Winchester 1866 Carbine.