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Colorful Old West Winchester 1866 Third Model Lever Action Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Colorful Old West Winchester 1866 Third Model Lever Action Rifle
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Estimate: $4500 - 7000
This is an example of an original, Winchester 1866 lever action rifle, that remains in the original, unmessed with "Attic Find" condition exactly as it was found. The Model 1866 Winchester Rifle was essentially a Henry Rifle with improvements invented and patented by Winchester's shop superintendent Nelson King in 1866. The modified magazine with the side loading gate, and new walnut forearm eliminated the primary defects in the Henry rifle and created a lever action rifle that has been associated with the name "Winchester", and the opening of the Western frontier. In fact these rifles were still being used well into the early 1900s in some parts of the west. This rifle was actually produced in late 1869, and based on the serial number, this is a very early third model rifle that still retains the more gradual receiver drop ahead of the hammer but still retains the script style serial numbers located directly behind the trigger. The top of the barrel has the Second Model barrel markings: "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT./KING'S- IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29 1866, OCT.16 1860". The rifle has the desirable early/intermediate features that include: (1) threaded magazine cap, (2) recessed chamber, (3) a period replaced fixed buckhorn style rear sight, (4) indented loading gate retained by a single screw, (5) second pattern squared brass forend tip secured by a single screw, (6) third pattern, coarsely knurled hammer without the half-cock notch, (7) small size loading lever, and (8) the early, unaltered rimfire style firing pin. The third pattern brass receiver is flared at the junction with the forearm and the stock is retained by a single upper tang screw, and as noted it has the script style serial number located on the lower tang directly behind the trigger. The crescent brass buttplate has a hinged trap with a non-matching serial number stamped on the back. The rifle has a blue barrel, magazine tube, rear sight, bolt and loading gate. It is fitted with the original walnut stock and forearm, with factory sling swivels on the lower buttstock and forend cap.
BBL: 24 1/2 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 Henry RF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 27799
Condition: Good overall and as noted this rifle remains in original unaltered condition with all the beautiful dark brown aged patina on the receiver. The majority of the screw heads are still untouched and unbuggered with that wonderful built up dirt and oil that can't be duplicated which accumulates from over 100 years of use out on the frontier, with the two or three other screws having been tightened years ago that have now complete oxidized and browned out. The brass receiver and brass buttplate as noted have completely oxidized and browned out with years of dark hardened dirt and oil built up around the screw heads, raised edges of the side plate and raised areas of the frame, trigger and hammer area. The blue on the barrel, magazine tube and loading lever have browned out and appears as a dark brown, hard oxidized finish. The is a light peppery type of fine pitting up and down the barrel and magazine tube in various spots, exactly as you would expect to see from years and years of actual use out west and from being in a saddle scabbard. This type of finish and condition is impossible to duplicate and actually complements the dark brown finish, giving credence to the originality of this rifle. The stock and forend are also in original untouched condition, with both items showing a nice dark brown matching finish or color overall, with years of light scratches, pressure dents, dings and gouges. The stock and forend both fit tight to the metal, just showing some minor shrinkage to the age of the wood, again giving 100% credence to the originality of this rifle. Both upper edges or sides of the forend next to the barrel, shows more wear and loss of wood, again from years of use on the western frontier. The rifle is missing the front sling swivel. A wonderful example of an original, unmessed with Winchester Model 1866 Yellow Boy rifle.