With its characteristic brass frame, the 1866 is perhaps the most attractive Winchester and, as Flayderman remarks, “the repeating rifle most deserving of the name, ‘The Gun that Won the West.’” Winchester made about 170,000 in various configurations starting in 1866. This one is serial number 97057, made in 1872, and thus dating to the early years of the post-Civil War western expansion of the U.S.

This is a standard configuration .44 caliber third-model 1866 carbine with a 20-inch round barrel with two barrel bands, brass crescent buttplate brass frame with loading gate and saddle ring. The carbine has the early style hinged trapdoor for cleaning rod compartment, early type front sight made integral with the front barrel band, and a non-adjustable rear leaf sight. The carbine rates excellent for condition with better than 80 percent original finish overall. The barrel bands show somewhat lighter from handling and the forward band shows some dings, one missing screw and wear to the other, but the barrel and magazine tube have about 98 percent coverage of blue, shading slightly to plum brown. There are just two stains on the top of barrel on the upper line of the crisp barrel address and a little freckling at the left breech.

The brass frame is a pleasing, warm mustard color with just a couple of light dings on the upper left and a scratch or two on the left. More noticeable is the name of the owner, who must have valued the gun highly, for he stamped his name, “J.B. Southworth” on the rear upper edge of the frame on either side, and also along the edge of the buttplate. The mechanics are very good. The lever and hammer show subdued case color, and the bore is very good.

The walnut stocks have a warm, reddish brown tone, a tight fit to the metal. The only fault to the buttstock is a double stained line running diagonally down and forward from the buttplate on the left. The forestock has a tight fit as well, good edges along the barrel and just a couple of very small handling dings on the very nose.

This is a very attractive “yellow-boy” that would be a major addition to any western collection. [sr]

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