Winchester 1866 Yellowboy SRC Carbine 20” .44 Henry Lever Action Rifle 1870
SOLD FOR: $6,926.00
LSB#: LSB260419MM004
Make: Winchester
Model: 1866 Carbine, 3rd Model
Serial Number: 43210
Year of Manufacture: 1870 / Antique
Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire
Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the barrel band. The rear sight is a folding 2 position for short and long range
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a barrel band, straight grip, straight comb, rifle-style brass buttplate with flip up door. The stock has a storage compartment behind the sliding door in the buttplate housing a 3-piece cleaning rod. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a small crack in the top of the wrist starting at the tip of the tang. The bottom of the forend has some marring along the length. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some patina and age darkening. The stocks have been lightly sanded and refinished. Overall, the stocks rate in Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull with sharp rifling where not interrupted by erosion. There is light to mild intermittent oxidation throughout. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about none of its metal finish. Most of the finish has taken to a mottled patina. There are scattered scabs and areas of light erosion. The brass has tarnished. There are scattered speckles of what may be cold blue or stock finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked from use but are serviceable. The markings are legible, though the barrel address is a bit faint. Overall, this rifle is in Fair condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly though is a bit stiff. 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: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1866 was the first rifle to bear the Winchester name and is one of the most historically significant American lever action designs. Often called the “Yellow Boy” for its brass receiver, the Model 1866 refined the earlier Henry system with Nelson King’s improved loading gate and forend, making it a more practical repeating arm for military, frontier, and sporting use. This example is an antique Third Model 1866 carbine manufactured in 1870 and chambered for .44 Henry Rimfire, the classic cartridge of the Henry and early Winchester repeating rifles. With its 20” round barrel, tubular magazine, brass receiver and furniture, two-position folding rear sight, and buttplate storage compartment with a 3-piece cleaning rod, this carbine has strong Old West and early Winchester collector appeal.
This carbine is in Fair condition as an antique, with the metal finish mostly turned to a mottled patina and the brass showing tarnish and age darkening. There are scattered scabs, spots of light erosion, operational wear, and some speckles that may be cold blue or stock finish. The lightly sanded and refinished walnut stocks show scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, scratches, marring along the bottom of the forend, and a small crack at the top of the wrist starting at the tang. The bore is dull but retains sharp rifling where not interrupted by erosion, with light to mild intermittent oxidation, rating 6/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly though it is a bit stiff, and while we have not fired this carbine, it remains a desirable antique Winchester 1866 Yellow Boy with a scarce and highly collectible early-production character. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – L.S.