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used repeating rifles in the American West and saw use in conflicts over land, gold, and other resources on the frontier in the second half of the 19th century in the hands of settlers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, and hunters. It is the direct descendant of the Henry rifle and launched a long line of successful Winchester lever actions that remain popular to this day. Over 170,000 Model 1866s were manufactured circa 1866-1898, and collectors have identified four distinctive model types of the famed Winchester ’66. The earliest is the first model. Found up through the 15000 serial number range the first model features a flat loading gate, a two screw upper tang, and a flat frame with the “Henry drop,” its most distinctive feature. The flat frame references the lack of a flare to accommodate the forend, a feature that is on all other models. The second model is found in the approximate serial number range 15000-25000 and features a single screw upper tang, a flare at the front of the receiver to meet the forearm, and a receiver with less of a drop ahead of the hammer. Found between serial numbers 25000-149000 the third model has a more pronounced curved receiver shape at the rear and a flare at the front of the receiver to meet the forearm. The final variation is the fourth model as found between serial numbers 149000 to the end of production. The frame has a less drop ahead of the receiver than the third model and a flare at the front of the receiver to meet the forearm.
Offered here is a very unusual Model 1866 as its design incorporates features found on the first and second models. It is considered a transition rifle between the first and second models. The rifle is built with a first model Henry style frame but has been expertly milled and lugs silver soldered at the front. The addition of these lugs give the appearance of a second model. The flare at the front of the receiver was an improvement over the first model. Without this flare forearms were left unprotected and therefore easily damaged. The flare in the receiver at the forearm was first used on the second model and was used through the remainder of production. The upper tang has two screws as found on the first model. In his included letter noted firearms dealer LeRoy Merz pointed out, “It is interesting to note that the rifle with serial #15,110 (one digit higher) is a true 2nd model. This gun was in a collection I recently examined.” He concluded, “Winchester was experimenting and trying different innovations to achieve improvements over the first models for their production run. They had recently, at the time, bought out the Henry Repeating Arms Company and were making the flatsides out of old Henry firearms trying to update and create a better functioning firearm. This is why this 1866 flatside is considered a transition gun. It was probably just a demonstration model to figure how they wanted to go about the general production run.” Merz knew of only one other flat side to have the receiver flare at the forearm.
The heavy, extra length 26 1/2 inch barrel with a 24 inch magazine tube is also an unusual feature. In the letter Merz explained that this type of barrel configuration was not offered by Winchester “in their catalog until after the introduction of the Model ’73 five or six years later, making this gun by far the earliest Winchester to have this feature.” Merz identified the magazine tube as a first model type with the follower stop threaded into the tube and magazine band fitted around the tube and secured to the barrel by a screw on each side.
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LOT 3042
One of Only Two Known Winchester Deluxe Model 1866 Flat Side Transition Lever Action Rifle as Pictured in R.L. Wilson’s Winchester: An American Legend with George Madis Letter - Serial no. 15109, 44 RF cal., 26 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, highly figured walnut stock. The legendary Winchester Model 1866 or “improved Henry” was one of the earliest and most widely