This Winchester Model 1866 carbine was manufactured in 1875. The carbine has the Third Model features which include: flare at the front of the receiver at the junction with the forearm, single upper tang screw and serial number stamped on the lower tang immediately behind the trigger. The carbine has the early threaded magazine cap, upper barrel band with integral front sight blade, hinged leaf rear sight with "3" and "5" yardage marking and hammer with border-less knurling and half-cock notch. A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The stock is fitted with the flat style brass carbine buttplate with sliding brass trap door. The barrel, magazine, upper and lower barrel bands and loading gate cover are blued. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened and the stock and forearm are oil-finished, straight grain American walnut. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. The serial number "126646" is stamped in block letters on the lower tang immediately behind the trigger. Probably more than any other firearm, the Model 1866 established Winchester Repeating Arms as the preeminent manufacturer of repeating rifles. This is the Model 1873.

Very fine as partially refinished (wood and barrel assembly). The refinished blue finish on the barrel assembly is thin behind the upper barrel band and on the sides of the barrel between the lower barrel band and receiver. The upper barrel band retains about 75% of the blue finish; the finish on the lower barrel band has faded to a dove gray. The blue finish on the loading gate has aged to a blue-brown patina; about 60% of the blue finish is present on the bolt. The hammer, trigger and sides of the lever retain most of the muted case colors. The case colors on the bottom of the lever have faded to a brown patina. The brass receiver and buttplate are in very fine condition and have a mellow aged patina. The receiver has a few minor dents and scratches with tight, untouched, side plate joints. The buttplate has a few minor handling marks and remains in very fine-excellent condition. Three small notches are neatly cut in the edge of the right side of the buttplate. The Winchester legend and serial number are crisp. The refinished stock and forearm are both in fine condition with minimal handling wear and retain nearly all of the oil finish. Model 1866 carbines nearly always show the effects of hard use. Carbines like this example in very fine condition are very scarce.