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December 20, 2014
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I have a 1866src s/n 25717. I trying to get Cody firearms Record letter, but the earliest they letter 1866 is s/n 35527.
Is there any recourse or no letter.
Thanks
Bill
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Bill,
Unfortunately there is no recourse… they records no longer exist (or have not yet been discovered).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bill, If your gun is original, not had the wood sanded or changed you might want to have it looked at for Indian markings. In that serial number range 66’s were used in the Indian Wars. A 66src 72 serial numbers away was owned by Sitting Bull’s nephew. T/R
December 20, 2014
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TR,here are some photos of the 66. I can not tell if it is a Indian rifle, no marks I can tell.
It was build in 1869 and is good condition and the action really good.
Thanks again
Bill
Bill, Close good pictures of the stock, elevator, and sides of the receiver would be a good place to start. The Sioux and Cheyenne have a picture type language and mark ownership and battle stories on the soft parts, (wood & brass) of their guns. It’s not always tacks and rawhide! Some Indian guns are honest pieces.
One example of neat Indian markings is on page 46 thru 49 of the summer 2017 edition of The Winchester Collector magazine. That’s a near perfect example, most Indian marking are rough and crude but have meaning.
The 66 carbine was the weapon of choice in 1869 for any dog soldier plains Indian or white man in Indian territory. T/R
It is interesting to me that this carbine has a rifle butt. How unusual is this? Or not?
TR said
Chuck, Most 66 carbines have a rifle butt up to about 100,000. T/R
Thanks Tom.
December 20, 2014
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Merry Christmas to all, and question on this 1866src
It looks like it has the 2 rimfire pens but also a center fire pen in the firing pen.
This is a early 3rd model , I would not think It should have a center fire pen, I know they went to center fire in later years, it just seems strange to me there are 2 different firing pens.
Thanks Again
Bill
Bill,
That is a center fire conversion. The rim fire tits have been filed down.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I’ve never seen a center fire set up. What else is required to be modified?
There is a firing pin sticking out.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
There is a firing pin sticking out.Bob
Sorry Bob I edited my post as you were replying. I’ll take a better look. After looking I don’t see anything sticking out but there definitely is something in the hole in the center. Normally this would be threaded so the clapper could be attached and flush at the end.
Bill, Some 66’s were converted later by owners to center fire and that’s what you have. They filed off the two points on the striker and inserted a pin in the firing pin, later they just welded a point on the firing pin. Simple conversion but not as easy to go the other way. You would have to file off the point on the pin and replace the striker. The striker is to thin to weld unless you have small welder and special skills. Winchester Bob sells strikers and bolts (firing pin) reasonable. The striker is threaded on the bolt. Removing the bolt from a 66 is tricky, ask for help if you go there.
If you find the right brass you can shoot your 66 center fire, if you convert back you can’t. T/R
December 20, 2014
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TR, could you use 44-40 brass and bullets cut to the dimensions of 44 Henry RF for a cartridge.
Bill
Bill, No! The brass and bullet would have be the same size and style as a 44 Henry only center fire. I don’t know what they used in the day, but I’m sure someone on the Forum will. The 44-40 is a different size bullet. T/R
December 20, 2014
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TR, I find the 44 Henry center fire cartridge in Cartridges of the World.Winchester made the cartridges for 1866 rifles they send to Brazil in the1890’s.
In book, they told how to build the a cartridge to work, it is way beyond me.
Thanks
Bill
The length of the 44 WCF cartridge is too long and is way to small in diameter compared to the 44 Henry rounds. I don’t remember the 44 WCF diameter but the Henry case diameter is the same as the bullet .445″. This isn’t always the same. Different diameters were made at different times. Other makers than Winchester and New Haven Arms made this ammo and they come in different lengths, weights and diameters. I have a lot of singles and have measured many. Some will not chamber in my Henry or 66.
All, this topic has come up before. Reference somewhere when Shrapnel and company got his 1866 to shooting. He had a thread on this forum about that, but then the final details that were tweaked to make it work were not provided. Then an article I authored in the “Collector” Spring of 2015. Brass that is available and good point to start is .44 Russian. Most likely need to trim its length. Bullet needs to be something akin to a heeled bullet. Currently can’t think of the bullet mould company that makes similar moulds. I have this thing about not being able to recall important names when it counts! Tim PS. Maybe Accurate moulds?
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