Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Model: 1866

Serial Number: 154927

Year of Manufacture: 1878

Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire

Action Type: Lever Action

Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The rear sight is an early-style "V"-notch buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece fancy checkered walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and carbine-style buttplate with storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The nosecap and buttplate are gold plated and engraved. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and small scratches. There is a compressed spot at the toe. There is a thin crack at the left-rear of the top tang. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered wear, most notable at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel & Gold

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 40% of its metal finish. Strongest nickel finish is on the lever and hammer, the exposed portions of the barrel and magazine tube have mostly worn through the nickel (there is strong nickel under the forend). The receiver retains much of its gold finish with some wear around edges and on the bottom tang behind the lever. There are some scattered light nicks and small scratches. There is some light scuffing on the sides of the barrel toward the muzzle-end. There is infrequent minor erosion in the worn areas. The initials "SRS" have been hand-scribed above the deer scene on the left sideplate. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear with good detail in the engraving. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a Winchester Factory Records letter and the results of a records survey by the Cody Firearms Museum. The letter indicates that this rifle was produced with a 24" octagonal barrel, fancy checkered stock, buckhorn sight, engraved with gold and nickel finish, received in warehouse February 20, 1878 and shipped January 11, 1879 on order 14329. The record entry has "Carbine" crossed out. The survey notes that of the surviving records, this is the only rifle of this specific configuration. There was one serial number, 145927, that was the same configuration except that "Carbine" was not struck out. The Cody Firearms Museum notes that it is possible this was a clerical error and both entries are for this rifle, it is also possible that they are two separate entries that have the same configuration apart from one being a Rifle and the other a Carbine.

Our Assessment: This is a gorgeous Model 1866 made in 1878. It is possibly the only one of its kind with factory engraving, fancy checkered stocks, buckhorn sight, and factory gold and nickel finish. The rifle has beautiful scroll engraving with a deer scene on the left sideplate. This rifle came along at a very interesting time for Winchester engraving, in the early part of the Ulrich era. It is very likely that one or more Ulrichs performed the engraving on this rifle. All of the 1866 models are very collectable due to their age and the relatively short time period over which they were made. This example, possibly unique, is certainly one of the most desirable and will take a prized place in even the most advanced collections. Please see our photos and good luck!