'66 Flatside

[Fox Creek Kid]

Some years back someone said there was a fella at End of Trail (when it was in CA) that was altering modern Uberti '66's to a very passable Type I '66 Flatside. Never heard hide nor hair more of this (and I damn sure looked and asked).

How hard would this be to do? The main issues IMO would be reprofiling the rear contours of the receiver and machining out the front flares. Then you have to braze two screw holes full and then drill two new ones. One of our astute members here with talent should do this as it would be a Helluva neat rig and coolness factor off the scale.

[Seth Hawkins]

OK.  I'll bite.  What is a '66 Flatside? Pics would be nice if you have them, cuz we all know they are worth a thousand words

[Abilene]

OK.  I'll bite.  What is a '66 Flatside? Pics would be nice if you have them, cuz we all know they are worth a thousand words

http://rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1866/model_66.shtml

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[Seth Hawkins]

That's an unusual rear site.  I've never seen one like it.  Do they have a name for it?

[Coffinmaker]

Seth, it's called "an unusual rear sight"  
I don't know if it actually has a name but I would bet it's an "express" sight with that cute little heart shaped arpature.  IV actually seen them on new build '73 and '66 rifles.  Betcha VTI has em.
I think you'd wind up with a fairly weak receiver if a current manufacture '66 was milled down to a flat side.  Some loading gate problems as well.  Sometimes really neat looking custom guns disappear is 'cause they didn't workout.

Coffinmaker

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I think you'd wind up with a fairly weak receiver if a current manufacture '66 was milled down to a flat side.  Some loading gate problems as well...

The originals held up, of course with real BP. Why loading gate problems?    It's just a flat piece of steel. Elaborate, Coffinmaker.

[Buck Stinson]

That "unusual" rear sight was standard on all 1866 carbines until around 1881 or serial range 155,XXX.  Same rear sight was also used on early 1873 carbines until around 1882 or serial range 90,XXX and all 1876 carbines until approximately 1877 or serial range 3,XXX.  This  rear sight on '76 carbines was the same, but just slightly larger in size.

[Blair]

Buck,

Your are correct.
It was used on late Mod Henry as well as early Mod '66 type I, II and III Rifle and Carbine development and early '73 carbines (with some minor variations to the window design).
My best,
Blair

[Coffinmaker]

Loading gate standing proud of the side plate.  Or ..... I may not be understanding what one wants to do???

Coffinmaker

[Fox Creek Kid]

OK, with a few very competent gunsmith/machinists on this site who have made some spectacular Transition Henry rifles can we soon expect one to make an authentic 'flatside' '66 ?   

[Mike]

The will is there but finding guns at a reasonable cost to wor on is the difficult bit. I am still waiting for my steel frame from the dealer here.
 

[tommy4toes]

Fox - I am planning to do that of which you speak, and then take it a bit further - a mag tube loading Mexican contract '66 with brass forearm. I'm patiently seeking a donor round barrel and mag tube in 45.

T4t

[tommy4toes]

Pics

[Fox Creek Kid]

I will 'donate' a carbine, but I want it back after the work is done!! 

[Mike]

To undertake both varations a Henry doner gun is needed. They cost a arm and leg here and broken ones, well found one in ten years.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I'm guessing that it would be easier to turn a Henry into a 'flatside' '66 than vice versa. The biggest problem would then be getting a 20" round barrel. I have no idea why Uberti makes 19" carbines.     You'd have to have a barrel made. You could cut down a 24" mag tube for it. Or, make it a 24" 'flatside rifle', but that requires one of the early type forearms with the 'V' cut on the forend.

[Mike]

Correct, new barrel. But that is the easy bit, finding the Henry is were i am at. Sold one which would have done the job.
I do have my side load Henry which i could pull the barrel on as it has a bulge half way down (not by me) but i like that gun and it was my first project.

[Coffinmaker]

The "Flat Side" revisited.  I guess it's all in the details.  I built some really interesting Henrys.  I know a couple of other guns that have built some really interesting Henrys.  I built a "Transition" Henry out of a '66 (that was a trick) but the details were wrong.  NO hump.  Side plates were wrong.  However, from 3 feet (fine from the freeway George) it looked really good.  Was a pain to build.

As I see the project, it has to be built from a Henry.  Near as I can tell, the original flat side guns were probably built from Henry castings.
You gotta get the hump.  Then you need a "flat" road gate.  Round Barrel from Uberti something.  Uberti Mag tube but you have to made a "ledge" for the mag tube to butt up against in the frame.  Probably the easiest way to get a barrel is to turn down a '66 or '73 barrel, since your going to have to cut the tenon anyway.  Fill and recut the sight dovetails.  Well, there is some more on the list, but it's already more trouble than I'd want to go to for a "one off."  Oh, and the fore end is going to be a mite thin. 

Nah.  Don't want to do this one.  Rather hit my thumb wid a hammer ............

Coffinmaker

[tommy4toes]

Yep - cash, parts, and labor intensive either way you cut it. Still want to do it though.

T4t

[Fox Creek Kid]

...Oh, and the fore end is going to be a mite thin...

Why? You would in the end be using what is technically a '66  barrel & mag tube. If you made a carbine you can buy a forearm.