May 23rd 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/22/2015
This rifle was manufactured in 1878. It is a complete, honest, and untouched all original Yellow Boy standard rifle. Features include a 24" octagon barrel; full magazine; walnut stock; brass frame; rifle buttplate; and blued barrel, tube, and nose cap. Factory stamps are deep and perfect. Screw heads are tight. Barrel and tube are a pleasing soft mix of blue and brown with sharp edges and some of the usual light freckling. The mellow patina of the brass frame and buttplate has turned the dark mustard color that is so desirable to Winchester collectors, and it has not been touched or cleaned up in any way. The colors have darkened on both the lever and hammer. Walnut stocks are excellent with no cracks or chips, just the usual impressions, are quite lovely and have darkened to a satin sheen. Bore has some strong rifling, albeit the grooves exhibit typical corrosion caused from the black powder .44 rimfire cartridges of the era. This is a classic 1866 in the rare rifle version that is complete, clean and original and warrants no apologies of any kind. A classic Wild West rifle.