Manufactured in 1879 as a fourth model with the iron buttplate and serial number stamped in script on the lower tang behind the lever catch. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/King's patent marking ahead of the rear sight. It is fitted with dovetailed blade and elevation adjustable sights. Mounted on a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The accompanying factory letter indicates that this rifle was originally received in the warehouse in carbine configuration on December 14, 1879; however, on July 17, 1880, it received a round barrel (likely when it was factory converted to rifle configuration). The rifle was shipped on August 26, 1880, on order number 21504. The '66 secured Winchester's place in the annals of the West and launched a long line of successful Winchester lever actions that remain popular to this day and still retain the basic form of the '66.

Good. The barrel and magazine have an artificial brown patina. The remaining iron surfaces have a mottled gray patina. There is some minor pitting, and the buttplate has illegible handwritten markings. The brass has a mixed aged patina. The sanded wood is fair with a long crack on the forearm, a series of notches on the comb and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.