Many legendary firearms are often cited as the "Guns that Won the West", however, there are perhaps no long guns more iconic than the Winchester Model 1866 carbine. These carbines simply have "the look" of having been there when the West was being tamed and were carried for decades on the frontier by lawmen, cowboys, outlaws, Native Americans, gold prospectors, and settlers. For many, these firearms were far more than just a gun, but a means to put food on the table and simply to survive. This example was manufactured in 1872, when the American West was still very much wild. This specific carbine was converted to centerfire during the period of its use, likely by an original owner, to extend its usefulness for many more years. It is a Third Model, with the serial number marked in block digits behind the trigger on the lower tang. The standard two-line address and King's patent marking is on top of the barrel. It is fitted with a brass blade front sight, integral to the barrel band, and a folding two-leaf rear sight, as well as a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included three-piece cleaning rod.

Very good, the barrel and magazine retaining traces of the original blue finish with the balance mostly a dark grey-brown patina and the brass showing an attractively aged mellow tone, generally appearing as weathered as the frontier that it likely spent many years on. The wood is also very good showing the lightly weathered appearance and scattered minor handling marks of a working gun that was cared for but not coddled. Mechanically fine as converted to centerfire.