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Very Fine, "Attic Condition" Original Winchester Model 1866 "Yellow Boy" Carbine with Henry Marked B

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Very Fine,  Attic Condition  Original Winchester Model 1866  Yellow Boy  Carbine with Henry Marked B
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Estimate: $9500 - 16000
This is an exceptional example of an all original, "attic find" Winchester Model 1866 carbine. The 1866 carbines have always been extremely popular and saw even more use on the western frontier than other rifles because of their compact nature. So to find one in the original condition, still in the 44 RF caliber is truly amazing. The Model 1866 Winchester Carbine was essentially a Henry Rifle with improvements invented and patented by Winchester's shop superintendent Nelson King in 1866. 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 carbine that has been associated with the name "Winchester", and the opening of the Western frontier. These carbines were so popular that many of them were captured and used by several of the northern plains Indians, during the Indian wars. This is a late second model that was manufactured in mid to late 1868. This carbine 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 "A" factory inspection mark ahead of the loading lever latch. 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) An early pattern, two-leaf, folding rear sight is mounted in the barrel dovetail. 7) A sling ring is attached to the left side of the receiver. 8) The steel front sight is an integral part of the upper barrel band. 9) The hammer has the early, borderless, knurling on the spur. 10) The brass buttplate has the early style hinged trap and is complete with a three-piece steel wiping rod with brass head. This carbine is fitted with the original buttstock and forend.
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue/case colors
Grips:
Serial Number: 21920
Condition: Fine overall and as noted this carbine remains in original untouched, condition, with all the beautiful mellow aged brass patina on the receiver. The majority of the screw heads are still untouched and unbuggered with that wonderful built up dirt and oil around the edges that can't be duplicated, that accumulates from over 100 years of storage. The two bottom screws show some tightening that probably happened years ago that have some what oxidized and browned out. The brass receiver and brass buttplate as noted have that old aged patina look with years of dark hardened dirt and oil built up around the screw heads, raised edges of the side plate, edges of the cross pins, and raised areas of the saddle ring studs, trigger and hammer area. The blue on the barrel, magazine tube and loading lever retain 40% of their finish which has completely browned out and appears as a dark brown, hard oxidized finish, with areas of minor nicks and dings mixed with some very minor areas of old corrosion, exactly as you would expect to see from years and years of actual use out west. This type of finish and condition is impossible to duplicate and actually complements the originality of this carbine. The case colors on the hammer, trigger and loading lever have also completely browned out/oxidized and show some very minor light corrosion spots, due to their age and use, but retain 100% originality, having never been cleaned or messed with. The stock and forend are also in original untouched condition, with both items showing a nice medium brown matching finish or color overall, with years of light scratches, very minor pressure dents, and dings from actual frontier use. The stock and forend both fit tight to the metal, just showing some minor shrinkage due to the age of the wood, again giving 100% credence to the originality of this carbine. Just a fantastic example of a totally original, unmessed with Henry barrel marked Winchester 1866 Yellow Boy saddle ring carbine.