Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
I haven’t come across any 1866 saddle rings with a cartouche on the buttstock until today. I ran up on one that has no kidding been in a closet in a case since 1967. After she said it had initials and I started looking it sure enough had a military cartouche very clear toward the rear of the buttstock. Is this pretty common? Thanks.
Can you describe the cartouche or post a photo or two of it?
November 7, 2015
Offline
Likely not very common, good clear photos would be very helpful for the experts around here to figure out what you have. I know the Texas Rangers issued this rifle (saw one earlier today) but it wasn’t a SRC.
Another cool thing about it is it has factory sling eyes also. All numbers match on butt plate as well as butt stock. It also has a “C” at the red of the barrel on top. <img alt="" src="
” /> <img alt="" src="
” /> <img alt="" src="
” /> <img alt="" src="
” /> <img alt="" src="
” /> <img alt="" src="
” />
What year is your SRC? Are you sure that is a military cartouche? Are there any inspector marks on the action, etc.? Be nice to see the whole carbine.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
1871 .There is a “c” on top of the barrel just forward of the receiver. Two letter beside the serial number and another just forward of the lever lock screw.
I did find that the “GKJ” is G.K.Jacobs who was a US inspector for the Amoskeag M1861 from 1865-1875 which is the correct timeframe. Also that the Ottoman Empire purchased 500 carbines around 1871. Thats all I have so far.
January 26, 2011
Offline
Mike
That is really a fine looking ’66 carbine. And if it has some extra history to go along with it, then all the better. Good luck in your research.
~Gary~
November 7, 2015
Offline
Very nice! Please keep us posted as your research progresses.
Cant seem to find a lot of info on US inspected 1866 carbines. The inspector G.K. Jacobs was stationed at the Amoskeag plant in Manchester,NH from 1865-1875. All serial numbers match so I know its a righteous cartouche. Winchester had no government contracts at the time so any rifles ordered by the Army would have to be inspected by someone outside the factory. Having the sling swivels on the SRC also indicates it was built for military use. The only reason it would be inspected by the US is for the Army. At this point in US history, around 1871, the BIGGEST focus of the US was settling the frontier and expanding west. There were hundreds of forts on the frontier that were established during this time frame. Our only enemy was the Indian( as we saw it) at the time.
I think this gun was a small order for the Army for those soldiers traveling west with wagon trains or individually to give them a better chance than they would have with a single shot Springfield. This is just my opinion from the info gathered so far.
Its a righteous gun so you have to ask yourself: What would the Army use a SRC for in 1871?
I did find where an 1866 musket sold that had the same inspector initials just a different border around. Their speculation was that it was one of the guns ordered by France or another country.
Would the US inspect foreign shipped guns?
November 7, 2015
Offline
nanzca said
I’m not convinced the sling swivels are factory.
Does seem to be a bit of a “belt AND suspenders” approach, swivels and a saddle ring. Rear swivel does seem a bit far back but I honestly don’t know.
mikec said
Cant seem to find a lot of info on US inspected 1866 carbines. The inspector G.K. Jacobs was stationed at the Amoskeag plant in Manchester,NH from 1865-1875. All serial numbers match so I know its a righteous cartouche. Winchester had no government contracts at the time so any rifles ordered by the Army would have to be inspected by someone outside the factory. Having the sling swivels on the SRC also indicates it was built for military use. The only reason it would be inspected by the US is for the Army. At this point in US history, around 1871, the BIGGEST focus of the US was settling the frontier and expanding west. There were hundreds of forts on the frontier that were established during this time frame. Our only enemy was the Indian( as we saw it) at the time.I think this gun was a small order for the Army for those soldiers traveling west with wagon trains or individually to give them a better chance than they would have with a single shot Springfield. This is just my opinion from the info gathered so far.
Its a righteous gun so you have to ask yourself: What would the Army use a SRC for in 1871?
Excellent post.
Added: It was also during the time of reconstruction, when soldiers would have been as thick as flies throughout the south.
James
One idea that was posted by the curator was that Winchester didn’t have a contract for the first 6 or 7 years and they made 1 up to send to the Army and try to convince them again…possibility? I am going to a gun show tomorrow and a buddy there has owned EVERY Winchester lever all the way down to the volcanics. He’s seen Henry’s martially marked and possibly a musket 66 but in 80 years of collecting and shows from Vegas to Baltimore he’s never seen a SRC 1866 with a military cartouche. We’ll see what he thinks.
Heres two of the muskets I found with the same initials but different border. They both talk about Argentine aquisitions but from the little info gathered so far, the US would not have inspected these guns for another country. Still pretty confused and looking. Thanks.
1 Guest(s)
