Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine SRC .44 Henry Lever Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $4,425.00
LSB#: WY241021AG035
Make: Winchester
Model: 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine
Serial Number: Not legible.
Year of Manufacture: 1866-1898
Caliber: .44 Henry Rimfire
Action Type: Lever Action with Full Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 20″, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade brazed to the front barrel band. The rear sight is a “V”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The sights are not original to the gun.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel carbine-style buttplate with a sliding brass door over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment). The stocks have scattered wear and discoloration. THere are nicks, dings, and scratches. There is a deep crack on the right of the buttstock extending back from the top tang. There are other scattered edge and grain-line cracks in the buttstock. The forend appears bowed outward from the barrel behind its band. The LOP measures 12 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has gone to a dark patina with scattered surface erosion. Overall, the stocks are in Fair-Good condition as Antique
Type of Finish: Blue & Brass
Finish Originality: Most parts show signs of polishing, some show repairs, there is no evidence of a new finish being applied.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is heavily worn, barely visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 2 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish, all in the brass receiver. The steel parts have gone to a thick, dark patina with scattered erosion and pitting. There are several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The front barrel band is missing its mounting screw. There are braze-repairs on each sideplate, the lever-loop, and the bottom tang has broken off and been repaired. The lever-lock shows heavy wear. The firing pin bushing shows heavy oxidation and does not move in the bolt. The screw heads are disfigured, some have questionably usable slots. The markings are mostly worn away. Overall, this rifle is in Fair-plus condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The loading gate cannot be depressed far enough to insert a cartridge. The firing pin bushing is seized in the bolt. Otherwise, the action functions properly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Model 1866 rifle was the first firearm to be built by the new Winchester Arms 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 loading gate precluded the need for an external follower, allowing for a walnut forend to be installed which prevented the user from burning their hands during extensive firing. 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 and some converted to Centerfire later.
This example is a saddle ring carbine with a 20″ barrel which looks like it has had a long and useful life. This would make a neat addition to a Winchester or early cartridge rifle collection, and will display well with its “been there, done that” appearance. It would also be a good candidate for a restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
