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New to the forum….I’ve stalked for research, but this is my first post. Recently aquired this 1866 Winchester SRC….manufactured in 1888. Looks to be in overall great condition, but it has a Mexican National stamp on the top of the receiver. I know after the civil war – Winchester and Henry would not sell guns directly to Mexico, so gun runners in Texas and Mexico City got the weapons down to Juarez’s Army. How common are these? I’m trying to figure out a rough value and have been told everything from average price to stupid high prices….I would like to get it insured correctly. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Rob F.
Hello Rob,
The gun metal (bronze) has been polished several times, and wood has been refinished, and the front barrel band is installed backwards. I have no idea if the Mexican marking is real or not, but would assume that it is not without any proof otherwise. Accordingly, it is not a “high” dollar gun. That stated, almost any complete Model 1866 is worth at least several thousand $$$$ these days.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert – can I ask, what makes you believe the wood has been refinished?
TIA
Rob F.
When you can see the side of the tangs and the wood is rounded were it should be square, that is a sign of sanded wood.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Rob Fuller said
Thanks Bert – can I ask, what makes you believe the wood has been refinished?TIA
Rob F.
Rob,
The wood is the wrong color, and more notably, it is undersized to the butt plate and to the upper & lower tangs.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
Online
Welcome, Rob! Carbine has been around for a long time and for much of its life polished “brass” and varnished wood was desired. No doubt this carbine has been there, done that, but todays collector places a much higher value on examples that have not needed much maintenance. I hope you’re not disappointed because it is a very cool piece of history, IMHO.
Is it still a rimfire?
Mike
When I graduated high school in 1968, my folks gave me a ’66 carbine #166042. It is in very nice original condition and it’s a center fire. My carbine does not have the Mexican cartouche. Tom Hall sent me a letter in 1969, stating that the records did not list it as a factory center fire. Whoever did this period conversion, factory or otherwise, the work was professionally done by an excellent gunsmith. I agree with TX, that your gun is very cool.
Very nice Carbine. imho, it has a $5000-$6000 value. The attributes as others have mentioned but I’d add that the buttstock is from a Model 1873. I’ve seen several 1866s with Model 1873 buttstocks, and heard many theories as to why – suffice it to say the 1873 Buttstock fit nicely on both models. That said, the original 1866 Buttstock whether Rifle or Carbine has a much higher comb feature.
Rob Fuller said
New to the forum….I’ve stalked for research, but this is my first post. Recently aquired this 1866 Winchester SRC….manufactured in 1888. Looks to be in overall great condition, but it has a Mexican National stamp on the top of the receiver. I know after the civil war – Winchester and Henry would not sell guns directly to Mexico, so gun runners in Texas and Mexico City got the weapons down to Juarez’s Army. How common are these? I’m trying to figure out a rough value and have been told everything from average price to stupid high prices….I would like to get it insured correctly. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Rob F.
Hi Rob,
There is an article in the Summer 2013 Winchester Collector magazine regarding Mexican 1866’s on pages 38-41 that you might find interesting.
https://winchestercollector.org/magazines/201306/40/
Don
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