Product Overview
The authentic Yellow Boy rides Again. Here’s your chance to own the rifle that started it all — the legendary Winchester® Model 1866 “Yellow Boy.” It has been a long time since a brand new version of this classic beauty has ridden the range. It is a true Winchester through and through.
The first. The authentic. Model 1866 lever-action was the very first rifle to wear the Winchester® brand. Its bright brass receiver was the basis for the nickname of “Yellow Boy." This legendary rifle is now available from Winchester® Repeating Arms in a new Grade I Short Rifle. This makes the “Yellow Boy” experience readily attainable for cowboy action competitors, hunters, casual shooters and everyone who enjoys spending a day at the range with a genuine Winchester lever-action classic.
If you are going to own an authentic legend like this, make sure it has the name "Winchester" engraved on the barrel.
A remarkable history. The Winchester Model 1866, often called the “Yellowboy” because of its distinctive brass receiver was a refinement of the earlier Henry toggle-linkage action, but included several important improvements developed by Nelson King, the Winchester factory manager. These improvements included a closed magazine tube, a right side loading gate and a wooden forearm.
Several nations, including the Ottoman Empire and France made official or unofficial purchases of the Model 1866 for military purposes. It is reported that the Ottomans purchased 45,000 muskets and 5,000 carbines in 1870 and 1871 during the Siege of Plevna (1877), with the Russian army suffering huge loses in part due to their use of Winchester rifles. The age of the repeater had begun.
The quality finish is just the beginning. One thing is for sure, all are beautifully finished and made to the level of precision and quality that made the originals famous. The Model 1886 was the second John M. Browning design he created for Winchester. It was considered robust and accurate, and capable of handling the long, powerful black powder “buffalo” cartridges popular on the Western Plains. The 45-70 Government is the all-time classic chambering for this robust rifle design . . . more than a match for grizzly bear, bull elk and bison.
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