Make: Winchester

Model: 1866, 3rd Model Saddle Ring Carbine

Serial Number: 25913

Year of Manufacture: 1869

Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN. CT. / KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866 OCTOBER 16. 1860”. The lower tang is marked “25913” and "A". The upper tang inlet has "5913" stamped and the inside of the buttplate is marked "5913" on the reinforcement webbing at the toe.

Barrel Length: 20”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the front barrel band. The rear sight is a two-position folding sight presenting either a "V"-notch when down or a "V"-notch aperture marked "3" with a "V"-notch at the top of the arm marked "5", dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight comb, straight grip, and brass crescent buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. The rear of the forend on each side has patterned wear corresponding to matching wear at the front of the receiver on each side. There is wear in the left-front of the wrist from the saddle ring. There is light sanding under the finish around the rear edge of the buttstock. There are a few tiny losses around the edges. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has gone to a mustard patina with scattered light nicks and scratches. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good Plus Condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Brass

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light even erosion through the bore with some scattered pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This carbine retains about 30% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine have mostly gone to a light to moderate patina with some areas worn to white and a little blue finish in well protected areas. The receiver has gone to a uniform mustard patina. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, and scratches with odd patterned wear on the sides of the receiver at the front, corresponding to matching wear on the forend. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this carbine rates in Very Good Condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer does not have a half-cock safety. We have not fired carbine. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Model 1866 was the first firearm introduced by the new Winchester Repeating Arms Company after they changed their name from the New Haven Arms Company in 1866. The Model 1866 was a much-improved version of the Henry rifle, with a loading port on the right side of the receiver featuring a spring-loaded cover, through which cartridges could be fed into a new solid magazine tube that was much stronger than the slotted tube used on the Henry. The loading gate precluded the need for an external follower, allowing for a walnut forend to be installed which prevented the user from burning their hands during extensive firing. The M-1866 was made in rifle, carbine, and musket configurations and in four different models dependent on date of manufacture. All of the different models were chambered in .44 Henry Rimfire, with some of the later 4th Models chambered in .44 Henry Centerfire and some pieces converted to Centerfire later. All Winchester Model 1866s are collectible due to their age, and the relatively short time period over which they were made. The M-1866 was produced up until the 1890s, but very few were manufactured after the M-1873 rifle was introduced with its improved centerfire cartridges. These Winchester “Yellow Boy” lever action carbines were highly prized and heavily used in the early post-bellum Old West.

This Antique Winchester Model 1866 (3rd Model) .44 Henry RF Saddle Ring Carbine was made in 1869 and is in Very Good Condition. It features a 20” barrel, 30% of its original blue and brass finish (mostly in the receiver), elegantly refinished two-piece smooth walnut stocks, legible markings, strong mechanics, and a gray bore with well defined rifling, light even erosion, and some scattered pitting. This would be a fine addition to any Winchester or Old West collection.