Winchester 1866

The Winchester 1866, or Winchester '66 was essentially a continuation of the Henry rifle with significant improvements. Oliver Winchester's New Haven Arms Company, producer of the Henry, was renamed the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1866.

The improved design was brought into production that same year. The serial numbers began at around the 13,000 to 14,000 range, being a continuation of the Henry rifle numbers. The exact starting point is unknown since Winchester records for that period have been lost.

Winchester model 1866 lever action rifle
image courtesy Antique Military Rifles

The Improvements

The 'yellow boy' as it became known, retained the brassy looking receiver of the Henry. The alloy, called gunmetal, was actually more like bronze. It was harder and tougher than brass and easy to machine.

Nelson King's loading gate was added to the right side of the frame, allowing easy feeding into the 15 round tubular magazine. The new loading gate eliminated the need for a slot the length of the magazine tube. The tube was now solid construction, making it more durable and allowing for the addition of a much needed wooden forearm. Also, the rotating section (for loading) at the muzzle end was eliminated.

The Winchester 1866, now loading from the breech end, was now much easier to load and shoot rapidly than any other weapon of that day. The 'Yellow Boy' was most known for it's use during the westward expansion of the U.S. It's firepower and high quality made the Winchester name famous. Between 1866 and 1898 nearly 160,000 were produced

Winchester continued to chamber the rifles for the .44 Henry rimfire cartridge. The .44 Henry used a 200 to 216 grain bullet and 26-28 grains of black powder. At a velocity of around 1100 feet per second it could not be considered a hard hitter by any stretch. But its short overall length allowed for more magazine capacity. And... it was enough for close range hunting or knocking an enemy off his horse.

The rifle was built with a 24 inch octagon barrel. A carbine with a 20" barrel and musket with a 27" barrel were also produced. The first model had a flat loading gate and flat receiver. Subsequent models had contoured loading gates and the receivers flared to match the widened forearm. Some have saddle rings. A Deluxe model with fancy walnut stock was also produced.

The company sent some Winchester 1866 rifles to Louis Nimschke for engraving. His craftsmanship and talent were an appropriate finishing touch to such a fine rifle.

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