Winchester Miroku Model 1866 .44-40 Win 20” Lever Action Rifle, MFD 2017
SOLD FOR: $2725
LSB#: 230516BM104
Make: Winchester, made by Miroku
Model: 1866
Serial Number: 00025ZR66E
Year of Manufacture: 2017
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Side Loading Gate fed by Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel above the muzzle. The rear sight is a flip-up ladder sight with a U-notch and is marked 0 to 20 with a U-notch in the up position.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut featuring a brass nose cap, a straight grip, a straight comb and a brass crescent buttplate. The wood shows no notable wear or damage, just light handling and storage marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks are in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 9 or 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some minor discoloration on the brass receiver and light scattered tarnish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the outer importer box, a serial-matched cardboard box, an instruction manual with factory handouts and a locking device with keys.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1866 is an iconic design, playing an important role in firearms history. Nicknamed the “Yellowboy” because of its brass receiver, the rifle was purchased by a number of nations for military use. The Ottoman Empire used Winchester repeating rifles against the Russian military during the Siege of Plevna in the late 1870s. The modern repeaters outperformed the archaic rifles the Russian troops had equipped, leading to disproportionate casualties on the Russian side. Despite the eventual victory of the Russian-led coalition, the effectiveness of the Winchester repeating rifles led European powers to upgrade their arsenals with repeating arms and magazine-fed rifles in lieu of single-shot weapons. This is a beautiful Miroku-made Winchester Model 1866 with deluxe wood stocks. This is one rifle you do not want to miss out on. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!
-J. Ren