Winchester Model 1866 carbine manufactured circa in 1869. This carbine has the Second Model features which include a single tang screw and flared receiver at the junction with the forearm. The lower tang is stamped with the serial number "23158" in block numerals behind the trigger. The carbine has a 20-inch round barrel with un-crowned muzzle and full-length magazine. The barrel has the first style upper barrel band with integral front sight blade and first style, two-leaf rear sight. The magazine has the early threaded cap. The hammer has coarse, hand cut knurling on the spur. The stock has the early style crescent brass buttplate with hinged trapdoor. The distinctive brass ('gunmetal") receiver has a staple-mounted saddle ring on the left side and loading gate cover secured by two screws. The barrel is roll-stamped with the second style legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines ahead of the rear sight. The barrel, magazine and barrel bands are blued, and the hammer, lever and trigger are color casehardened. The loading gate has a fire blue finish. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with low-luster varnish finish.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 60% of the original blue finish. There are traces of very light pitting along the top of the barrel ahead of the lower band. The Winchester legend is sharp. The rear sight is original with more than half of the original blue and has sharp markings. The upper barrel band retains 40% or the blue finish. The lower band has a brown patina. The loading gate has 40% of the original nitre blue finish. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever are 40% complete with the balance having faded to a mottled gray patina. The brass receiver and buttplate are in excellent condition. The receiver side plate joints are perfect, and the receiver is free from handling marks or scratches. The buttplate is in the same condition and shows almost no handling wear. Both the extremely fine receiver and buttplate have a very attractive, untouched patina that comes only with age. The straight grain walnut stock and forearm remain in excellent condition. Nearly all of the semi-gloss varnish finish remains, and the wood has only a few scattered and very insignificant storage marks. This is an exceptional example of a scarce Winchester Model 1866 carbine.