Make: Winchester

Model: 1866 Musket

Serial Number: 32536

Year of Manufacture: 1870

Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 27", Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the front of the barrel, also serving as the bayonet lug. The rear sight is a folding ladder-type with “V” notch when folded down and a “V”-notched slider on a ladder marked from “2” to “8” when folded up. There is a small “V” notch in the top of the ladder marked "900". The rear sight detent spring is missing.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with two barrel bands, straight grip, straight comb, carbine-style brass buttplate with sliding door, a sling swivel in the belly and another mounted to the forward forend band. The stock has a storage compartment behind the sliding door in the buttplate (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are cracks in the wrist, most notable on the left and bottom. There is a crack in the right of the forend between the bands. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a mustard patina with scattered discoloration, nicks and scratches. Overall, the stocks rate in Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Brass

Finish Originality: The brass shows signs of polishing in the past, but there is no evidence of a new finish being applied. The stock tang inlet and buttplate toe are serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is some scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish, nearly all in the frame. The brass surfaces show polishing and scattered discoloration. The steel surfaces have gone to a moderate-dark patina with even scattered erosion. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a cluster of nicks on the bottom of the lifter. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. 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 socket-style bayonet.

Our Assessment: The Model 1866 was the first firearm to be built by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. 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 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.

This rifle is a rare Model 1866 Musket. The rifle still has its original rimfire bolt. It has a 27” round barrel with a 24" magazine and a brass receiver. The rifle is in Very Good condition as Antique with strong mechanics, a decent bore, and wear consistent with its age. All of the 1866 models are very collectable due to their age and the relatively short time period over which they were made: the M1866 was made up until the 1890’s, but very few were made after the 1873 rifle was introduced with its improved 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 the variations of the four different models. This Musket variant is more than suitable for a collection, but the real interesting feature is the included bayonet! Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding.