The accompanying factory letter lists this musket as chambered in .45-70 caliber when received in the warehouse on September 8, 1892 and shipped the same day. The rifle has a 30-inch round barrel with full-length magazine and distinctive blued steel forearm cap. The barrel is secured by a single band and has a steel block front sight that serves as a mount for a socket bayonet and a military style folding leaf rear sight. Factory sling swivels are fitted to the barrel band and stock. The carbine style buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor. The butt trap contains a five-piece steel cleaning rod. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-< MANUFACTURED BY THE >-/-< WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN US.A >-" in two lines between the barrel band and rear sight. The caliber "45-70" is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. "MODEL 1886" is roll-stamped on the upper tang. The 1884 and 1885 patent dates are roll-stamped on the lower tang behind the trigger. The serial number is roll-stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the tang screws. The barrel, magazine, forearm cap, barrel band, rear sight, bolt, loading gate, trigger and sling swivels have a blue finish. The receiver, hammer, lever and carbine style buttplate are color casehardened. The receiver and buttplate have vivid case colors. The stock and forearm are straight grain, oil-finished American walnut. The Model 1866 Musket was made in smaller numbers than any other Model 1886 variation and is the rarest of the scarce Winchester lever action muskets.

Excellent plus. This rare musket is all original and remains in extraordinary condition with 97% of the bright original blue and vivid casehardened finish. Finish wear on the barrel is limited to some slight scuff marks cased by fixing the socket bayonet. The distinctive blued forearm cap has some very minor finish wear. The barrel legend and caliber markings are perfect. The bolt retains nearly all of the bright blue finish. The finish on the loading gate has faded to a blue-gray patina. The receiver, lever and hammer retain 98% plus of the fiery case colors; wear is limited to several minor scratch marks along the upper right edge of the receiver. The buttplate has 95% of the case colors with some very minor wear on the heel and toe. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition and retain nearly all of the original oil finish with un-handled, raised grain. Wear is limited to a few scattered and very insignificant storage marks. This is an outstanding example of the rarest Model 1886 Winchester variation in nearly unused condition. It would be a stand out piece in the most advanced collection of Winchester lever action rifles.