Make: Winchester

Model: 1866

Serial Number: 30989

Year of Manufacture: 1870

Caliber: .44 Henry, the rifle appears to have been converted for centerfire, but is missing its firing pin.

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full Length Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead set in a slot on the front barrel band. The rear sight is a two-position folding sight presenting either a "V"-notch or an aperture with a "V"-notch marked "3" and a "V"notch at the top edge marked "5".

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The interior of the plate is marked "1448", indicating that it is a replacement. The door does not align properly with the storage compartment. The forend has a gap to the receiver. The band's mounting screw has been replaced with a pin. There is a crack in the bottom of the forend in front of the band and a smaller crack at the bottom-rear edge. There is a small loss at the heel to the left of the buttplate's tang. The fit of the wrist to the receiver tangs is imperfect. There is discoloration around the rear of the buttstock. There are some scattered light marks. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a moderate patina with scattered wear and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Brass

Finish Originality: Refinished, the sideplates are likely replacements. Some other parts may have been replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is moderate-heavy erosion and pitting in the bore. There is some built-up oxidation. There is a bulge in the bore about 7 1/2" from the muzzle. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 3 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its metal finish, all in the receiver. The steel's new finish has mostly worn or gone to a mottled patina. The steel has scattered surface erosion, most notable on the lever. The front edge of the magazine tube appears to be repaired. The sideplates have been polished and/or replaced, showing casting pores around some edges. The bottom tang has broken across the hole for the lever-lock and been brazed back in place, with braze built-up on the interior to reinforce it. The loading gate mounting screw has been replaced with either a peened pin or a screw that has been blended and no longer has a slot. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as custom/repaired Antique.

Mechanics: The firing pin is missing from the bolt. The magazine follower does not come flush with the lifter channel. Otherwise, the action functions properly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Model 1866 rifle was the first firearm to be built by the new Winchester Arms 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 M1866 was made in rifle, carbine and musket versions 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 converted to Centerfire later.

This example is a carbine with a 20" barrel which looks like it has had a long and useful life. This would make a neat addition to a Winchester or early cartridge rifle collection, and will display well with its "been there, done that" appearance. It would also be a good candidate for a restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!