Make: Winchester

Model: 1866, Saddle Ring Carbine 4th Model

Serial Number: 158304

Year of Manufacture: 1882

Caliber: .44 Henry Centerfire

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine.

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel behind the front barrel band. The rear sight is a fixed "V"-notch dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the rear sight is not original to the gun.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight comb, straight grip and brass carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment). The detent spring for the door is broken, the door slides freely. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, bruises and scratches. There are losses and small cracks around the edges of the forend. There are old repairs around the buttplate tang in the heel. The buttstock is notably shy to the metal around the edges, the wood shows signs of sanding. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered nicks, scratches and discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in Fair-Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Brass

Finish Originality: Original, some screws have been replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is well defined. There is moderate erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 4/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The lever screw's threads are damaged and the frame's threads for the screw are stripped smooth. The barrel and magazine tube have gone to a light patina with some scattered darker spots of oxidation and erosion. There is an odd band behind the rear sight that shows polishing. The receiver has gone to a mustard patina, showing scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The brass has some areas of discoloration and the saddle ring’s staple has light play to the frame. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to disfigured with questionably usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle rates in Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This rifle comes with a factory records letter indicating it was produced as a carbine, received in warehouse June 5 and shipped June 7, 1882 on order 33065.

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 rifle is a Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine 4th Model. The rifle has honest wear given its age 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 4th Model Saddle Ring Carbine will be a neat addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!