This is an absolutely beautiful, Winchester Model 1866 saddle ring carbine that was manufactured circa 1872, that remains in the original 44 rimfire caliber. This carbine has the distinctive brass receiver, and crescent buttplate with a blued 20-inch barrel, 13-shot magazine and barrel bands. The hammer and cocking are color casehardened. The loading gate and bolt are niter blue. It is fitted with a straight grain American walnut buttstock and forearm with the varnished finish. This excellent carbine has a third model receiver that includes the which has the less pronounced curve ahead of the hammer. It has the correct third model "block" serial number (101703) behind he trigger followed by the small initials "DB" of the Winchester factory inspector. The left side of the receiver has the correct saddle ring staple and saddle ring still attached and the right side has the third pattern loading gate held on by a single screw. It is fitted with the correct 20 inch carbine length barrel with the first pattern flat (uncrowned muzzle) that is roll stamped on top with the two line: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." immediately ahead of the rear sight. The barrel is fitted with the first pattern barrel band with the integral front sight in the band with the first pattern two-position folding leaf rear sight that is marked "3 and 5" for 300 and 500 yards. It has the original full length magazine tube with the first pattern magazine tube cap that is threaded inside the tube. It has the second pattern wider trigger with the third pattern, hammer with the borderless checkered pattern. Interestingly it is fitted with a rifle style buttstock with a brass crescent buttplate. The stock and buttplate are both original and the stock is numbered "1703" inside the tang cutout area and the lower edge of the buttplate is also correctly numbered "703". It is fitted with the early style small loop cocking lever. The butt trap contains a four piece jointed steel cleaning rod with brass tip.

Very fine overall with 40% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel, magazine tube, loading lever and barrel bands with all four components having browned out. The very fine receiver and crescent buttplate both have an attractive original mustard yellow brass patina finish overall. The loading gate retains 50% original nitre blue. The near excellent stock and forend both retain 90% of their varnish showing minor light handling marks on the sides from light use and handling. Mechanically excellent. A superb condition Winchester Model 1866 saddle ring "Yellow Boy" carbine.