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Lot 2002:Desirable Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

December 1st, 2018|Rock Island, IL

Lot 2002:Desirable Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

December 1st, 2018|Rock Island, IL

Estimated Price$12,000 - $18,000

Desirable Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

Winchester Model 1866 rifle manufactured in 1881. The rifle has the Fourth Model receiver profile and serial number roll-stamped on the lower tang behind the lever latch. The rifle has a full octagon barrel and full length magazine. The barrel has a dovetail mounted sporting style front sight with rounded blade and a flat top sporting style rear sight. The upper tang is factory drilled and tapped for a peep sight. The stock has a crescent steel buttplate with sliding brass trapdoor. The hammer spur has bordered, impressed knurling. The barrel, magazine and forearm cap are blued, and the hammer, trigger, lever and crescent buttplate are casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut. 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 ahead of the rear sight. The serial number is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and the tang screw.

ConditionFine. The rifle is all original and retains crisp traces of the blue finish. The balance of the blue finish on the barrel magazine, forearm cap and loading gate has a deep brown patina with occasional minor spots of surface discoloration. The barrel legend is light but fully legible. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have a mottled, plum brown patina. The buttplate has a dark patina with some dark surface rust and some scattered pitting at the heel. The brass receiver is in very fine condition with tight side plate joints. The receiver has some light scratches and handling marks. The brass has an attractive age patina. The stock and forearm are in good-very good condition and show moderate handling wear. There is a one-inch hairline age crack in the left side of the stock near the toe of the buttplate, and the edges of the forearm barrel channel are slightly rounded from handling. This is a good looking, all original example of the iconic "Yellow Boy". Probably no long arm is more closely associated with the Western Frontier than the Winchester Model 1866 rifle.

Details

ManufacturerWinchester

Model1866

TypeRifle

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge44 RF

Barrel24 inch octagon

Finishblue

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL