I hadn't seen this video linked here yet. Close up views of a prototype in the Cody collection.
https://youtu.be/CMYQZS0VlCA (https://youtu.be/CMYQZS0VlCA)
CC Griff
There is related text here:
https://armourersbench.com/2020/08/02/winchester-1866-prototype-musket/ (https://armourersbench.com/2020/08/02/winchester-1866-prototype-musket/)
Thank you Coal,, worth watching.
coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.
Wow, thanks a lot, Griff! I've never seen that iteration. Shows they had the musket configuration in mind from the get-go. And steel! You know, Chaparrel once came out with a steel case-colored '66. It looked exactly like a '73 except the sideplates were not removeable. They claimed it was a "transitional 1866" and I laughed, but maybe there's a tiny bit of credence there.
:) Wheeeeeeeeeeeee ;)
I would be want to point out (unabashed cheering and applause) when Uberti did a short run of Henry "Transitionals" their Loading gate was a lightly modified version of the "Kings Patent" original loading gate.
When I shoot any of my 4 Transitionals at a match I constantly get "What's Dat??" followed closely by "Is Dat Legal" then the finale "Never knew they did that." Fun Stuff.
The pictured prototype use to be pictured on "Rare Winchesters" but disappeared with pictures of perhaps 5 or 6 other 1866 Prototypes. I know of 7 prototypes that were built prior the the intro of the 1866.
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