This is an exceptional example of a Winchester Model 1866 Musket that was manufactured in 1869. The musket has the distinctive 27-inch barrel with 24-inch magazine, extended 17-inch forearm and three barrel bands. Sling swivels are mounted on the stock and middle barrel band. The barrel has an iron block front sight which serves as a mount for a socket bayonet and a two-leaf folding rear sight with apertures marked "1" ,"3", and "5". The stock has a brass carbine style buttplate with sliding brass trapdoor. The stock and extended forearm are straight grain American walnut. The barrel and magazine are blued, and the barrel bands, hammer and loading lever are color casehardened. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT/KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. The serial number is stamped on the lower receiver tang behind the trigger.

Very fine. The musket is all original and retains 50% plus of the slightly faded original blue finish. The blue on the barrel is thin and shows some small spots of age discoloration. 40% of the blue finish is present on the loading gate. The three barrel bands and the sling swivels have a dark patina. Half of the case colors are present on the hammer; the case colors on the lever have faded to a silver-gray patina. The brass receiver is very fine. The side plate joints are tight and free from scratches, and the remainder of the receiver is smooth with minimal handling wear. The receiver has a mellow, untouched, age patina. The brass buttplate shows slightly more wear than the receiver but has the same untouched patina. The stock and extended forearm are in very fine overall condition with a few light handling and storage marks. This is a very good, original example of a Winchester 3rd Model 1866 Musket.