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Exceptional Special Order Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Exceptional Special Order Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle
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Exceptional Special Order Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

This is an exceptional example of an all original, Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle. These 1866 rifles have always been extremely popular with collectors with most having seen heavy use on the Western frontier due to their rapid fire nature and improved forearm. The Winchester Model 1866 was essentially a Henry Rifle with improvements invented/patented by Winchester's shop superintendent Nelson King. The modified magazine tube with the side loading gate in the receiver, and new walnut forearm eliminated the primary defects in the Henry rifle and created a lever action rifle associated with opening of the Western frontier. This is a late second model that was manufactured in late 1870. This rifle has the following distinguishing, second model features: 1) The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the first pattern, two-line, barrel marking of: "HENRY'S PATENT-OCT. 16. 1860/ KING'S PATENT-MARCH 29. 1866." between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. 2) The script serial number is stamped directly behind the trigger, that is followed by a letter "B". 3) It has the slightly more pronounced receiver drop in front of the hammer, than the first model. 4) It has the early pattern small loading lever loop. 5) The upper receiver tang has the single screw holding on the buttstock. 6) It has the rare "first" pattern, sporting leaf, folding rear sight with the narrow staff and the coil-spring and plunger found inside the base. 7) It is fitted with a rare special order, gold washed, early Beech combination folding Globe and Post front sight (which probably also included a early, tang mounted, graduated peep/target rear sight, now removed). 8) It has the early style hammer with the coarse, borderless, checkering on the spur. 9) The brass buttplate has the early style hinged trap that normally houses a three-piece steel wiping rod (not included). This excellent example is fitted with the original walnut buttstock and forend, with both fitted with factory mounted sling swivels.

Manufacture: Winchester
Model: 1866
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 45698

Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube with the edges and high spots as well as some upper areas of the barrel and magazine tube turning a light brown patina color. The cocking lever and trigger both have turned a medium brown patina color overall. The nosecap, buttplate, receiver and side plates all retain their beautiful deep mustard color, aged brass patina, never having been polished or altered. The side plates show no marks of ever having been removed from the action since leaving the factory. The stock and forend are truly amazing in that they literally show only a few minor handling marks with an old, old very minor scratch on the right side of the stock in front of the buttplate with some minor handling marks on the sides of the forearm. The wood to metal fit is exceptionally fine with only a couple of places where there is some minor shrinkage over time, remember this rifle is approximately 144 years old! The various screw heads are all in excellent condition, never having been buggered with many still showing the original blue finish on the heads. The only comment is that the top of the upper tang shows a oval light spot, that would indicated at one time, (probably originally when it was ordered) it had a factory tang sight installed. More than likely it sat there for 100 years until someone removed as I am sure it was a special order feature with the front sight of this rifle. A super example of an all original, early second pattern Winchester Model 1866 lever action rifle.