Lot 41: Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine

Offered here is both an attractive and solid representative example of a Winchester Model 1866 "Yellow Boy" Carbine that was manufactured in 1870. It is a third model with the serial number marked in block numerals behind the trigger, flared frame to meet forend, and the curved frame profile in the hammer area as more pronounced than as seen in the first and second models. Other features included a saddle ring on the left side of the receiver, brass trapdoor buttplate (cleaning rod not included), rimfire firing pin, barrel band with integral front sight, and carbine type folding leaf sight. The top of the barrel has the two-line Winchester New Haven address/King's improvement patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight. The barrel, barrel bands and magazine tube are blue. The loading gate is nitre blue, The hammer and lever have a casehardened finish. The plain forearm and straight grip stock are walnut. 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. It saw use in conflicts over land, gold, and other resources on the frontier in the second half of the 19th century in the hands of settlers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, and hunters and is the direct descendant of the Henry rifle and traces its lineage back to earlier repeaters like the Volcanic.

Very good as a Model 1866 carbine exhibiting great frontier issued character, a result of authentic use and care. The barrel, magazine tube, and barrel bands have a smooth dark brown patina with crisp original barrel address. The hammer and lever have faded to a brown-gray patina. There are a few scattered patches of pitting. The fine brass has an attractive dark appearance with some minor handling marks and a receiver with tight fitting side plates. The good wood show immense character with a crack on the underside of the forearm at the barrel band, a few absent slivers, some moderate divots and some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive Winchester "Yellow Boy" Carbine in a classic "as found" condition that instantly takes the admirer back 150 years.