Make: Winchester

Model: 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine 4th Model

Serial Number: 163436

Year of Manufacture: 1883

Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire

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 band. The rear sight is a two-position folding sight, presenting either a single "V"-notch or a ladder-style sight with "V"-notch slider graduated from 0-20. The slider is a little loose on the ladder.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a banded forend, straight comb, straight grip and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding door over a storage compartment. There is a five-piece cleaning rod in the compartment. The buttplate is marked "921" on the interior at the toe, matching the assembly number on the receiver tang. There is no visible serial or assembly number on the wood. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There is cracking around the front of the wrist. The wood shows signs of sanding, more notable in the buttstock. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a hint of nickel finish around the top mounting screw, but has mostly gone to a thick, dark patina with scattered erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue and Nickel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is moderate-heavy erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. The face of the muzzle has been unevenly polished, it is not flat. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 3/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 30% of its metal finish. The steel parts have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is a little nickel in protected areas of the hammer and trigger. The steel parts show scattered surface oxidation and erosion. The receiver retains much of its nickel finish with wear at edges, scattered nicks and scratches. There are tool marks at most screw and pin heads. 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. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle rates in Very 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: Included is a Winchester factory records letter indicating that this rifle was produced as a Carbine with Nickel finish, received in warehouse July 20 and shipped July 21, 1883 on order number 4546.

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 4th Model. The rifle has wear consistent with its age of more than 140 years and has not been converted for center-fire cartridges, retaining an original rimfire bolt. The included factory letter indicates that the receiver's generally strong nickel finish is original, a nice find for the dedicated collector. 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 great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!