The Very First Model 1866 Winchester? by J. L. Skinner In late
1866, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, began manufacturing
a vastly improved version of the famous Henry rifle, made by by
its predecessor, the New Haven Arms Company. The new rifle had
no specific name at the time, but there were references to an
“improved Henry". Later it became known as the Model 1866, or
“66”. When enough guns had been made to build up an inventory,
the, new model was introduced to the public. In the early 1950’s
John E. Parsons conducted a thorough analysis of the Model ’66
Winchester. In 1955 he published the results of his research in
THE FIRST WINCHESTER. On page 59, Parsons stated, "...officers
of the company ‑noted that the first two carbines of the new
model were sold to H.G. Litchfield of Omaha Nebraska, on August
31, 1867, for $34 each..." There is also reference to a single
carbine, possibly a prototype, being shipped overseas in 1866.
The new model contained a number of modifications to the Henry
rifle. The Mo