This outstanding Third Model Winchester 1866 carbine was manufactured in 1869 has the distinctive brass receiver and crescent buttplate with blue barrel, magazine, barrel bands and loading gate. The hammer, trigger and lever are casehardened. The stock and forearm are oil-finished straight grain American walnut. The carbine has the Third Model features which consist of a moderately curved receiver profile and serial number located on the lower tang behind the trigger. The front sight blade is an integral part of the upper barrel band. The barrel has an un-crowned muzzle and a dovetail mounted two-leaf rear sight with "1, 3," and "5" yard markings. The magazine tube has the earlier style threaded cap. A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The upper receiver tang has a single stock screw. The hammer has coarse borderless knurling on the spur. The brass buttplate has a sharply pointed heel. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." ahead of the rear sight. The serial number is stamped in block numerals on the lower tang. A "B" Winchester inspection mark is stamped behind the serial number. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Excellent. The carbine is all original and exhibits minimal handling and storage wear. Nearly 95% of the original blue and casehardened finish remains. Wear is limited to some slight finish loss on the sides of the barrel bands and some very minor surface discoloration on the end of the barrel and magazine. The loading gate retains 70% of the niter blue finish. The brass frame and buttplate are excellent. The highly attractive brass has a deep untouched patina and shows only very minor handling wear. The side plate joints are perfect. The receiver screws are excellent. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and lever have aged to a smooth mottled brown patina. The barrel legend and serial number are crisp. The stock and forearm are also excellent. Wear on the forearm is limited to several shallow dents behind the barrel band and one or two small insignificant scratches. The stock has a shallow bruise on the left wrist from contact with the saddle ring and several nearly unnoticeable storage marks on the left side near the buttplate. Carbines in excellent original condition like this exceptional carbine are very rare and extremely desirable to collectors!