Winchester Model 1866 Rifle manufactured c. 1869. This "Third Model" rifle has the serial number stamped on the lower tang in block letters behind the trigger. The rifle has the distinctive brass receiver, forearm cap and curved buttplate with sharply pointed heel. The rifle has a full-octagon barrel and full length magazine. The barrel has a standard sporting style front sight with nickel-silver blade and a sporting style rear, buckhorn rear sight with over-size eyepiece. The rear sight is a period replacement and the original rear sight dove-tail is filled with a crude blank. The upper receiver tang has a single screw and is not factory drilled and tapped. The brass forearm cap is the early style with single screw that enters on the left side. The hammer has border-less knurling on the spur. The crescent buttplate has a hinged trap door and the butt trap contains a four-piece, jointed steel buttplate with brass tip. Factory sling swivels are fitted to the forearm cap and stock. The stock and forearm are straight grain, oil-finished, American walnut. The Winchester legend on the top barrel flat is covered by the rear sight.

Good. The rifle has a period rear sight added and retains traces of case-colors on protected areas of the hammer and lever. The blue finish on the barrel and magazine has aged to a faded brown patina. The case colors on the hammer, lever and trigger have faded to a mottled gray-brown. The brass forearm cap, receiver and crescent buttplate in very good condition with an attractive, untouched, patina. The brass components shows scattered light scratches and handling marks. The side plate joints are tight and there is no indication the side plates have ever been removed from the receiver. The stock and forearm are in very good overall condition with a good looking age patina and light to moderate handling wear. This is a good looking example of a 1869 production Winchester Model 1866 Rifle.