I purchased an 1866 today with no visible serial number and a very faint barrel address. The wood and brass are great and unmolested. It has an “A” under the lever but no other numbers. When I removed the buttstock the lower tang was marked CO 18442. The stock was marked 18442 in the inlet. The Brass buttplate was also marked 18442 toward the base. Like I said. The brass is dark and theres no evidence of the serial number being removed on the outside. Ideas?
In that time frame the serial numbers could of been inside or outside the gun. Barrel addresses were very faint on early guns.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015

According to Madis “Serial numbers of the Second Model are found inside on the lower tang on early issues, in the 19,000 series the numbers began to be placed outside.” p 68 of my 1985 printing
November 7, 2015

Would appear so, nice gun!
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