This Second Model Winchester 1866 carbine was manufactured in 1868. The carbine has the Second Model features which include receiver with flare at the junction with the forearm and graceful curve in the hammer area, single upper tang screw, concealed serial number on the lower left side of the tang and Henry and King's patent barrel legend. The carbine has a distinctive brass (gunmetal) receiver and crescent buttplate with blue barrel, 13-shot magazine and barrel bands. The hammer, trigger and lever are casehardened. The oil finished stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. The front sight blade is an integral part of the upper barrel band. The barrel has a dovetail mounted two leaf fixed rear sight with "1, 2," and 3" elevation marks. The magazine has the early threaded cap. A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The hammer has coarse knurling on the spur. The crescent buttplate has a sharply pointed heel and hinged butt trapdoor. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the early pattern, two-line marking "HENRY'S PATENT-OCT. 16. 1860/ KING'S PATENT-MARCH 29. 1866." located between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. The serial number, "15618", is stamped on the left side of the lower tang, in the upper stock inlet and on the inside of the buttplate. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Excellent. The carbine is all original and retains 95% of the original blue finish on the barrel. The upper and lower barrel bands have a blue brown patina. The two line Henry and King's patent markings are sharp. The brass receiver and crescent buttplate are both excellent with a mellow untouched patina. The side plate joints are perfect and both the receiver and buttplate show only a few very minor handling and storage marks. The hammer, lever and buttplate have a mottled brown patina. The hammer retains most of the casehardened finish. The stock and forearm are very fine-excellent. Wear is limited to a few minor and barely noticeable handling and storage marks. Most Winchester 1866 carbines were working firearms that saw hard use in adverse conditions for many years. As a result an 1866 carbine in original condition with 80% or more of the original finish are scarce. Early production 1866 carbines in excellent original condition are extremely rare. This is an outstanding example of one of the most historic and significant Winchester firearms.