This is a fine example of a Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Carbine with Cody Firearms Museum letter and excerpt from Winchester factory ledger. The Cody Firearms Museum letter that accompanies this carbine identifies it as a carbine and states that it was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on September 7, 1889. The carbine has the Fourth Model features which include the serial number stamped in script numerals on the lower tang behind the lever latch, iron carbine style buttplate and receiver with less drop at the rear. The carbine has the standard 20 inch round barrel and full length magazine. The barrel has the late, iron, block front sight located behind the barrel band and late pattern folding adjustable rear sight marked "1873" at the top of the leaf. These Model 1873 were used on only late Model 1866 carbines and are rare. A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The buttplate has a sliding brass trap door, and the butt trap contains a three-piece, jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. The carbine has the distinctive brass ("gunmetal") receiver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS NEW HAVEN CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860" in two lines between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. "44 R.F." is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. "44 CAL" is stamped in script letters on the bottom of the cartridge elevator and the serial number "167411" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang behind the lever latch. In "The Winchester Book" by Madis, the author notes that very few Model 1866 had caliber markings since .44 rimfire was standard.

Fine. This carbine is all original and in well above average condition for a Winchester Model 1866 Carbine. Winchester Model 1866 carbines were purchased primarily as weapons or working firearms and inevitably show the effect of years of hard service in a hostile environment. Complete examples with any original finish are scarce. This carbine shows moderate handling wear with no abuse and retains 30% of the original finish. The blue finish on the barrel and magazine has aged to a good-looking, smooth, plum brown, patina. Traces of blue are present in protected areas. The Winchester legend and caliber designation are sharp. Considerable blue finish is present on the loading gate. The barrel bands have a silver-brown patina. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have aged to a mottled brown patina. The iron buttplate has a brown patina with some silvering on high points. The brass receiver remains in very fine condition with a striking, un-touched, yellow patina. The side plate joints are in near perfect condition. Wear is limited to a few light scratches and handling marks with several shallow dents on the right side plate. The stock and forearm remain in very good overall condition with an attractive patina; wear is limited to a few scattered and very minor handling marks. This example of a Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine would compliment even a highly advanced collection very well! It was formerly in the exceptional Tommy Rholes collection.