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Documented Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Documented Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter
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This is an attractive example of a Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle with Cody Firearms Museum factory letter. The letter states that the rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on August 15, 1887 and describes the barrel as "round". The rifle has a 24-inch barrel with full length magazine, standard dovetail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and buckhorn style rear sight with plain, four-notch elevator. The forend tip and crescent buttplate are steel and the buttplate has a sliding brass trap. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped for a rear sight. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING"S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29, 1866 OCTOBER 16. 1860" ahead of the rear sight. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is stamped "44 CAL" in script letters. The serial number, "165643" is located on the lower tang between the lever latch and the tang screw. The straight grain black walnut stock and forearm have a varnish finish.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 165643
Condition: Very good plus. The barrel and magazine have a deep brown patina with scattered light pitting and some minor nicks and scratches. The barrel markings are faint but legible. The forend cap, hammer and lever have a mottled gray-brown patina. The iron buttplate has a deep brown patina and shows light-moderate pitting. The brass receiver is in very good condition with minor scattered handling marks. The side plate joints are tight. The receiver has a mellow and very attractive patina. The stock and forearm are both in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. This is a solid original example of a desirable Winchester Model 1866 Rifle.