Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

TR on 1866 at Rock Island

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:00:23 +0000

This gun is a perfect example why you have to search guns you intend to buy. In the picture 1873man posted you see the estimate, 27.5k-40k. This guns price estimates at auction are on a down hill slide big time. T/R

Pioneer on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:56:25 +0000

Toggles don't look modern and I think are original, I figure hammer / mushroom effect.

I went ahead and took the lever back out of the gun and brought the lever and both toggles to my shop to do it right, in a vice.

Knocked mushroom off both ends of the pin and left a very shallow bevel with dremel, then started filing with fine diamond coated file.

The pins (.182) are still to big to go into the toggles (.145), so previous owner must have really took out some pinned up anger with that hammer.

I'm working them down slowly with the diamond file to end up with a nice smooth (and round) snug fit.

Wouldn't think someone hammering them even that much wouldn't fatten em up that bad, but I can't imagine why else the size mis-match, unless the toggles are indeed modern production... but they do look old to me.

TXGunNut on 1866 at Rock Island

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:26:07 +0000

The description seems to confirm what our experts are seeing, hard to say when the engraving was done but RIA does not describe it as factory engraving. In today's market it could bring a respectable price. OTOH didn't someone say that the brass guns have been a bit soft lately? Could be worth a watch.

Mike

Jeremy P on 1866 at Rock Island

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:22:03 +0000

Rick C said

Buck1967 said
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/5032/1/attractive-engraved-winchester-model-1866-lever-action-rifle
Hi guys, I’m thinking of adding a 66 to my collection and curious if you guys see anything wrong with this one? Appreciate any help! Thanks

RIA knows the routine. Their description “Fine as professionally embellished” says it all to me. Not the original engraving.

This. Add to that they only included 6 pictures on a gun that potentially could be worth north of 10k....plus as mentioned, it's not in a premier auction. Red flags and they know something we don't....or that we do I guess.

1873man on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:08:32 +0000

I have never had a issue with the toggle not fitting on the lever pin. Are the toggles a repo set? Did the pin get mushroomed trying to hammer it out?

Bob

Pioneer on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:56:05 +0000

Yep, lessons learned. This is actually the first '73 I've ever taken apart, only because I had to in order to fix the problem.

The lever "catch" lines up properly now to hold the lever in place, and I was smiling.

HOWEVER, if I was smart I would have "fit checked" the toggle links to the replacement lever pin, as I mentioned the pin is seized in that one too.

So low and behold I got the lower tang, lever, etc lined up and button down, the lever spring reinstalled then went to attach the toggles.

You would have probably seen this coming but I didn't... side toggles will not slip onto the (also seized) pin of this replacement finger lever. My luck.

Guess the guy before me figured it was hammer time as well. I believe a couple light passes with my dremel tool can resolve that quickly unless you know of a better option?

Check fit to the remaining pieces before re-assembling... another lesson learned .

Rick C on 1866 at Rock Island

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:28:05 +0000

Buck1967 said
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/5032/1/attractive-engraved-winchester-model-1866-lever-action-rifle
Hi guys, I’m thinking of adding a 66 to my collection and curious if you guys see anything wrong with this one? Appreciate any help! Thanks

RIA knows the routine. Their description “Fine as professionally embellished” says it all to me. Not the original engraving.

1873man on 1866 at Rock Island

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:21:49 +0000

I checked a old 66 survey I have and it listed the gun was in a RIA in Aug 2005 and Sept 2006. They are not on their web site but did have the 2005 catalogs. Attached is the photo of the page. I don't like the barrel and tube. Absolutely no wear or dings in either and the color of them don't match. The fit of the tube to the barrel is ugly. If your serious about the gun, get detailed pictures of the entire gun is in order. The pictures they posted are horrible with the white background which darkens the gun to hide detail. I grabbed a picture of the barrel/tube and lightened it so you can see it better.

Bob

1873man on New Member here

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:06:34 +0000

Joe,

If the pin in the lever does not come out easily I pull the lower tang rather than beat on it.

Bob

Pioneer on New Member here

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:53:49 +0000

Hi Bob -

What I did not mention on my original post is that the pin for the lever was (is) seized, and I could not get the lever out... decided not to bang on it anymore (well supported with stack of washers underneath as to not bend the frame) after soaking in Kroil for 3 days. But, I decided to pull the screws to remove the lower tang then wiggled it down a bit and the lever came right out seized pin and all. The replacement lever pin is seized in there as well, but no problem the replacement just dropped right in.

So with that said, the pics I posted were the original lever still in the gun, and the replacement lever setting on top... appearing to me to have no bend (all I based that on was by visually comparing everything hanging below the receiver).

Now, when I had original lever all the way out I did compare them more closely and take some pics before installing replacement lever.

And you are right, that son of a gun was well bent / stretched.... orig lever on bottom.

1873man on New Member here

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:16:02 +0000

Joe,

Welcome to the forum, Post a picture of the entire lever from the side with it in the closed position. It looks like the lever is bent.

Bob

martin rabeno on 1866 at Rock Island

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:56:24 +0000

Looking at my Nimschke book and comparing both guns, this is a copy in my opinion

TR on 1866 at Rock Island

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:33:33 +0000

I just finished chasing a gun, I won't say what kind but it wasn't a Winchester. By Google search I found two auctions in it's past, the first one with an estimate of 250k-300k with no sale, the second was 30k-50k and it hammered at 25k, still no sale. I was given a chance to buy it for 25k by the still current owner. I countered with a lower offer and he did not accept.

Anyone can think their gun is worth big bucks but it's only worth what it sells for. When a gun is not original these painful reality checks happen unless you happen to find a fool. Don't be the fool, do your homework. I watched a guy at Tulsa this last show get screwed because he was to proud to ask for a second opinion. The average buyer knows just enough to get taken.

If RIA gives it an estimate of 7k, it has to have a cat in the closet. T/R

martin rabeno on 1866 at Rock Island

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:29:43 +0000

I have reservations as the originality of the engraving. It just doesn't look right to my eyes. yes I do engrave.

Buck1967 on 1866 at Rock Island

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:06:15 +0000

TR said
The first thing you do is google "winchester 1866 20126" and the gun will show up on "March in Montana auction" est 15-25k. Look at the pictures, log in find the sale price, and search some more. Do not be influenced by a cheap estimate, Poulin did that in their last auction buyers went right past the estimates and the guns sold for what they were worth. The value of that gun depends on what you see when you hold it in your hand. No free lunch.
If someone bought it for 20k in 2025 would they sell it for 7k? Maybe no sale or was returned. T/R

Thank you TR. I did that and was able to see it sold for 15k plus 3.45 in BP just 12 months ago. It started at 10k and went to 15k. I guess it should be concerning someone would try and unload it so quickly and then RIA did choose to place it in the lower tier auction in April instead of the a premier Auction in May. Could be nothing but is something wrong with this gun? Was something altered or otherwise changed that the previous buyer discovered after purchasing and RIA now also knows about so they have deemed it unworthy of the Premier auction?