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Here are a couple of 1866’s that have been on the ranch for generations and haven’t been cleaned or altered since their days as working ranch rifles. I could use some help from the “brass frame” experts on the forum to come up with a correct elevator and front sight to make them complete again. Mark
Mark,
The elevator is the one with the flat steps. There is a guy selling repros of them on Ebay.
The original finish of the receiver that you showed is called butterscotching. You don’t want to even wipe the receiver with a rag since it will wear off.
I bought a round barrel 66 rifle years ago at a local gun show on Saturday and then bought a couple of Dominion brand rim fire shells for it from a ammo dealer for $5 a piece. Took it home that night and looked it all over and got the itch to fire it. Put in one shell and it fired with the first hit. A cloud of smoke and I looked down the bore and it was just black and couldn’t see the rifling. I put another shell in there and had to hit it twice to get it to go. The next day I went back to the show and bought the rest of the shells. I dug out the bullet from the back stop and saved the cases. The back of the case bulges out some when fired.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Mark,The elevator is the one with the flat steps. There is a guy selling repros of them on Ebay.
The original finish of the receiver that you showed is called butterscotching. You don’t want to even wipe the receiver with a rag since it will wear off.
I bought a round barrel 66 rifle years ago at a local gun show on Saturday and then bought a couple of Dominion brand rim fire shells for it from a ammo dealer for $5 a piece. Took it home that night and looked it all over and got the itch to fire it. Put in one shell and it fired with the first hit. A cloud of smoke and I looked down the bore and it was just black and couldn’t see the rifling. I put another shell in there and had to hit it twice to get it to go. The next day I went back to the show and bought the rest of the shells. I dug out the bullet from the back stop and saved the cases. The back of the case bulges out some when fired.
Bob
Thanks Bob, for the great info. You’re likely one of very few people who have fired an 1866. I’m really looking forward to getting some 44 henry ammo made. I doubt I’ll test fire in either of these rifles, since they are family heirlooms. I’m on the lookout for an 1866 that may have cosmetic problems or has been refinished, but is in excellent mechanical condition to use for testing. Mark
Mark,
Great video, and enjoyed it. However, I do have one minor comment… the Henry and Model 1886 were made with “Gunmetal” (a.k.a. bronze) frames versus brass. I realize most people have no clue what the difference is, and that they have been referred to as “Brass” frame guns for a very long time, but my Engineering background whispers in my ear… not Brass!
Keep up the good work, and learn lots in the Gun Smith school in Susanville!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Mark,Great video, and enjoyed it. However, I do have one minor comment… the Henry and Model 1886 were made with “Gunmetal” (a.k.a. bronze) frames versus brass. I realize most people have no clue what the difference is, and that they have been referred to as “Brass” frame guns for a very long time, but my Engineering background whispers in my ear… not Brass!
Keep up the good work, and learn lots in the Gun Smith school in Susanville!
Bert
Thanks Bert! I remember you mentioning that were a bronze alloy in the past and I actually mentioned that fact in the first take of the introduction. Unfortunately, I flubbed it up and had to reshoot it, then forgot to mention it in the retake. It’s hell getting older and having my memory drifting a bit. If it’s any consolation, I did talk about them being a bronze alloy in my first episode with the 1866 through 1895 models. 
Mark Douglas said
I’m really looking forward to getting some 44 henry ammo made.
Mark,
Let us know how that turns out. As I imagine it will be a slight undertaking. The biggest challenge will be making the brass shell casing into the rim-fire shape. Priming compound can be made and even ordered. And black powder is easy enough. The proper 44 Henry Profile bullet can be made from a custom ordered mold.
About as close as I’ve seen anyone reload the old rim-fires is here:
Best of Luck,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Mark,
Another great video/lesson. You got two really nice model 66’s.
Thanks,
Al
Maverick said
Mark,
Let us know how that turns out. As I imagine it will be a slight undertaking. The biggest challenge will be making the brass shell casing into the rim-fire shape. Priming compound can be made and even ordered. And black powder is easy enough. The proper 44 Henry Profile bullet can be made from a custom ordered mold.
About as close as I’ve seen anyone reload the old rim-fires is here:
Best of Luck,
Maverick
I’m kind of having fun with the challenge of making the rimfire cartridges. You’re right that the tricky part is forming the rimfire head, but I think I can make it work. I going through some gunsmithing machine shop classes right now, so I’m hoping to get some advice from the instructors on exactly how to make the forming dies. I’ll definitely keep you in the loop. Mark
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