Who made this 1866

Colt Fanning · September 01, 2016, 04:08:20 PM

Howdy,
I recently bought an engraved Model 1866 receiver thought to be an Uberti. There are no markings visible on the receiver with the stock and forearm attached. After removing both, on the side of the lower tang there is the lettering DB03 19xx and on the front face of the receiver under the forearm is the letter P. The carrier block is very short, 1.375 in. compared to 1.605 in. for a normal Uberti block.
The bolt and carrier block perfectly fit a 44 Russian cartridge. The Bolt and links appear identical to an Uberti 1873.
Regards
Colt

Abilene · September 01, 2016, 05:06:36 PM

No markings on the barrel? What caliber is the gun? Does it have a "lever safety" on the bottom tang like a '73? Early Navy Arms Ubertis had that safety and a short carrier for .38 spcl. Then they notched the front of the carrier window in the frame to allow for 44-40 with the same short carrier. Seem to have heard that Navy Arms made a run of either Henries or '66's in .44 Rimfire once as well.

Colt Fanning · September 01, 2016, 07:45:52 PM

Hi,
I never got a barrel with this gun. The carrier block is too short for 38 special. I think it was intended to be 44 Russian. The bolt is center fire.
Regards
Colt

Abilene · September 01, 2016, 08:26:08 PM

Interesting. Well I just looked it up and an original '66 carrier is also 1.375"

Mike · September 01, 2016, 08:30:39 PM

Picture would be great.
early 66 great find.

Colt Fanning · September 02, 2016, 09:12:37 AM

Hi,
There is no "lever safety.
Here are pics

Mike · September 02, 2016, 01:49:57 PM

That is one great find.
Luck guy, will look great when complete.

major · September 02, 2016, 02:21:12 PM

If I had this receiver I would try to make it into a blank gun for reenacting. If the carrier block is for 44 Russian then blanks made out of 44 mag brass would work great in it.

Major 2 · September 02, 2016, 03:10:46 PM

not me .... 20" 44 barrel ....and BP Russo all day long

Mike · September 03, 2016, 01:05:22 AM

44 Russian

If you dont want it I will give it a good home.

Major 2 · September 03, 2016, 01:12:34 AM

Save the Import hassles to NZ

send it to the GUNshine State

Just curious, could that be sent to New Zealand Mike ? Wonder what the hoops would Be ?

Mike · September 03, 2016, 02:28:01 PM

It is easy for me to import as long as it is decribed correctly ie, Uberti frame, rifle stock. Dont need a permit for A catagory firearm. Complete gun I need a import permit which is free and easy to obtain. If the item is over $350nz customs will ask for a donation to there wage fund.
The big problem is finding firstly these parts and secondly some one to post them.
As we as gun owners are treated as Terrorists it is getting harder to undertake our hobby.

m

Major 2 · September 03, 2016, 03:11:50 PM

Quote from: Abilene on September 01, 2016, 05:06:36 PM
No markings on the barrel? What caliber is the gun? Does it have a "lever safety" on the bottom tang like a '73? Early Navy Arms Ubertis had that safety and a short carrier for .38 spcl. Then they notched the front of the carrier window in the frame to allow for 44-40 with the same short carrier. Seem to have heard that Navy Arms made a run of either Henries or '66's in .44 Rimfire once as well.

I offer this...it is only as conjecture as to the origin of your Model 1866 receiver

In 1979 when Navy Arms Co. founder, the late Val Forgett, came out with a limited-production of 1,000 rifles,
500 chambered in .44 Henry and 500 in .44-40 Win. These guns were Henry's built in Mr. Forgett's own facilities in Union City, N.J.,
After this run, Forgett sent his tooling to Italy where he would have production incresed.
Henry's have been made by Uberti every since , that is until 2011 when Anthony Imperato's Henry Repeating Arms introduced
the return of the American made H011

Below is the receiver of one Mr. Forgett's 1000. Perhaps it will help in the identification of yours.
(EDIT)

posted the wrong photos earlier DoH !

I can't quite tell If yours has the second screw just below the hammer $:-\$ if it does, then there you go...

Mike · September 03, 2016, 09:38:47 PM

Love it,

Colt Fanning · September 04, 2016, 08:54:38 AM

Hi,
Where is the screw just below the hammer? Is it on the bottom of the receiver between the trigger and the lever? If so my receiver has one of these. Bear in mind that this is an 1866 not a Henry.
Regards
Colt

Major 2 · September 04, 2016, 09:02:39 AM

This screw ..... head is on the right side

I think I see it here $:-\$

understood it's a 66.... same frame cut for the King's Gate improvement

Colt Fanning · September 04, 2016, 09:17:38 AM

Hi,
That is a screw but the head is on the left side and it is present on modern Uberti 1866 rifles Also, it is shown on the schematic
at the VTI gun parts site.
Regards
Colt

Major 2 · September 04, 2016, 10:41:59 AM

What I'm saying is the Early Val Forgett Henry had 2 screws

Circa 1979 & current Uberti's and HRA's don't have this second screw as shown with
these four belonging to myself.

the trio are two Uberti's & one HRA H011 24" barrels
the single is a [AE] Date Code 1979 44/40 Carbine 22" barrel

Colt Fanning · September 04, 2016, 12:31:29 PM

Hi,
I think that you are right about this being an Val Forgett pre Uberti 1866. Thanks for the input.
Regards
Colt

Major 2 · September 04, 2016, 01:53:12 PM

Bingo