Lot 44: Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine

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. This carbine example was manufactured in 1869 and has the distinctive brass receiver, round barrel, full length magazine tube, front barrel band featuring an integral front sight, two leaf rear sight, saddle ring on the left side of the receiver, and walnut stock with a trapdoor crescent brass buttplate (cleaning rod not included). The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Winchester New Haven/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight. The lower tang is stamped with the serial number behind the trigger.

Very good. The barrel and magazine tube have faded to a plum-brown. The receiver has an attractive mellow appearance with right sideplate battered at joint and cocked slightly upward. The front barrel band screw is absent, and the extractor is a crude period replacement. The wood is good with a chip at the toe, a crack at the upper tang, and minor handling marks. Mechanically needs work.