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I’m looking for some advice on how best to sell a Winchester 1866 for a family member. I’m located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and would like recommendations on where locally to take the gun for valuation/sale. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I noted it doesn’t have an octagon-shaped barrel (I’m still researching this to see if the round barrel was an option). The serial number is 132009 which I believe places it in 1877 for the manufacture year.
Thank you in advance for your forum member advice!
Best,
Richard
Hello Richard,
The round barrel was the more common type found on the Model 1866 when you consider that there were more Carbines & Muskets made than Sporting Rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I believe that the standard barrel for a rifle was a 24″ octagon. I do know for a fact that the last models with the steel butt plates could be had with a round barrel. I don’t see, in my limited reference material on the 66, that the round barrel was an option. It was standard on the shorter 20″ barreled carbines and the muskets. Jim Gordon does not show an example of an early 66 with a round barrel. He does show one in the 155,000 range.
Richard,
If you email the picture to me at the below address I can post them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thanks for the info Bert & Chuck! And thanks Bob for offering to post my pictures. I don’t know what happened to the one’s I tried linking to my post.
As to the question of the round or octagon barrel, based on the butt plate being the same yellow metal as the frame, would that indicate the barrel may be a replacement then if it isn’t a steel butt plate? Or perhaps I’m misunderstanding. Just trying to get an idea of the condition of the rifle.
Ideally, I’d love to be able to have someone look at the rifle in-person to evaluate its condition and value.
-Richard
Richard,
Here are your some of your pictures. I picked the ones that showed the important areas.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
My impression is that the butt stock is not original to that rifle.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I would remove the butt stock and butt plate and check for any numbers inside.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Richard Taylor_1 said
Thanks for the info Bert & Chuck! And thanks Bob for offering to post my pictures. I don’t know what happened to the one’s I tried linking to my post.As to the question of the round or octagon barrel, based on the butt plate being the same yellow metal as the frame, would that indicate the barrel may be a replacement then if it isn’t a steel butt plate? Or perhaps I’m misunderstanding. Just trying to get an idea of the condition of the rifle.
Ideally, I’d love to be able to have someone look at the rifle in-person to evaluate its condition and value.
-Richard
The fact that the buttplate is not steel does not necessarily mean there is a problem. I don’t know when the butt plates were transitioned (about what serial number range). As we all know parts were used until they were gone.
Interesting. I don’t think I feel comfortable disassembling the butt stock or plate so I’ll have to leave the identification of originality to an expert. I was wondering if maybe it is a “transition” gun with the mixing of parts. From the pictures does anyone have a rough guestimate of value?
Thanks,
Richard
Richard, Your gun does fall in a transition period for the steel butt plate and steel forearm. In the Pirkle book on page 34 he states after 134,500 the forend cap was predominately steel. When it comes to the butt plate on page 11 he states starting at 110,000 was available but not predominate until 125,000. Your gun is close enough to both serial numbers to be possible.
My concern is the fit of your wood. You have to pull the stock and butt plate and check the serial numbers to be sure it’s correct. It looks like it’s been apart before so with the right screw driver and a little caution you will know if it’s worth $5,000 or $7,000. T/R
Richard,
Based solely on the condition of the gun. The gun has several issues. Its a round barrel which is the least desirable of the rifles. The wood has been sanded down below the metal. The brass has been polished at some point which greatly hurts the guns value. The sights are broken and the condition of the steel barrel and tube. I would value it at $5000.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I apologize for the late response. Thanks for all the expert advice, everyone.
Best,
Richard
November 7, 2015
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Richard-
I’m nobody’s 1866 expert but the photos my lethargic data connection graciously allowed me to view showed an honest rifle that was well-used and maintained according to the best practices of the time. Sanding and re-oiling the wood and polishing the brass (OK, gunmetal ) were simply good maintenance when this gun was in use. I like the gun, any provenance you or your family member may have will appeal to certain segments of your target market. It will never be a high-condition gun, hasn’t been one for perhaps a century. That doesn’t keep it from being an honest reminder of what the average well-used 1866 really looked like.
Nice gun, thanks for sharing it with us.
Mike
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