This is an extraordinary example of a Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action rifle that was manufactured in 1868. The top barrel flat is marked with the first style legend: "HENRY'S PATENT-OCT. 16 1860/KING'S - PATENT MARCH 29.1866" roll-stamped with a two-piece die ahead of the rear sight. The rifle has the serial number stamped in block numerals on the lower tang behind the trigger. The receiver has a flare at the front at the junction with the forearm and a single tang screw. The barrel is fitted with the early Henry-style folding leaf rear sight with round top, 900 yard center notch and elevator bar screw stop and a special order Beach folding combination front sight. Factory sling swivels are mounted on the forearm cap and stock. The crescent buttplate has a Henry style trap door. The butt trap contains a four piece, jointed, steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The indented loading port cover is retained by a single screw. The rifle has the distinctive Model 1866 brass receiver, forearm cap and crescent buttplate. The 24-inch, full octagon barrel, full length magazine and loading gate are blued. The hammer, trigger and loading lever are color casehardened. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with a high polish piano finish. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Excellent overall. This rifle is all original and retains 85% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube with only very minor wear on the end of the tube and muzzle. The hammer, trigger and lever have 80% of the muted original case colors. The brass forearm cap, receiver and crescent buttplate are all in excellent condition with a mellow, un-touched, highly attractive patina. The receiver and side-plate joints are nearly perfect. The loading gate retains 75% original nitre blue. The early Henry barrel legend is crisp. The stock and forearm both remain in excellent condition and retain nearly all of the high polish piano finish; wear is limited to a few scattered, insignificant, handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. This is one of the finest example of an early production Winchester 1866 Lever Action rifle with very desirable Henry's Patent barrel legend that we have ever offered at auction!