Make: Winchester

Model: 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine 3rd Model

Serial Number: 80172

Year of Manufacture: 1871

Caliber: The bolt has been converted for use with .44 Centerfire (NOT .44-40)

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine.

Barrel Length: 20"

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 single "V"-notch or having a "V"-notched aperture with a "V"-notch at the top. The rear sight is currently installed backward.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight comb, straight grip and crescent brass (gunmetal) buttplate with a trapdoor over a storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment). The top tang inlet and the toe of the buttplate on the interior are each marked with the serial number. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, and scratches. The wood is generally shy to the metal, most notable at the toe. There are cracks on each side of the forend at the front, the forend has split in half along the bottom and been repaired. There is a loss in the comb at the buttplate's tang. The LOP measures 13 3/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered nicks and scratches and appears to have been polished. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished and repaired Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Brass

Finish Originality: The receiver has been polished. Other surfaces appear Original. Replaced lever-lock.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, barely visible. There is scattered erosion pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 3/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its current metal finish. The steel parts have mostly gone to a moderate-dark patina with scattered surface erosion. The barrel has a lighter area around the markings where it was cleaned to make them legible. The receiver is generally bright, having been polished. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The left of the receiver has wear around the saddle ring. The ring's staple has minor play to the receiver. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around most screw and pin heads. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with questionably usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as partially refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly, but the replacement lever-lock does not properly secure the lever loop. The hammer has a half-cock safety. 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: 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 3rd Models chambered in .44 Henry Centerfire and some converted to Centerfire later.

This rifle is a Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine 3rd Model. The rifle has wear consistent with its age of more than 150 years and has been converted for center-fire cartridges. Most Winchester collectors would never think that their collection was complete without at least all three variations of the M1866, while some would argue for all of the variations of the four different models. This 1866 3rd Model Saddle Ring Carbine will be a great addition to a collection and will display well with its "been there, done that" appearance. Please see our photos and good luck!