A very good, “J.P. Lower” marked early Fourth Model Winchester Model 1866 (Yellow Boy) repeating Saddle Ring Carbine, serial number 149924, with twenty inch, round barrel, full length tubular magazine tube, two barrel bands, manufactured circa 1878, in obsolete 44 rimfire calibre.
A very good, “J.P. Lower” marked early Fourth Model Winchester Model 1866 (Yellow Boy) repeating Saddle Ring Carbine, serial number 149924, with twenty inch, round barrel, full length tubular magazine tube, two barrel bands, manufactured circa 1878, in obsolete 44 rimfire calibre. The two line barrel address reads “WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT / KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 20 . 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860”.
The serial number 149925 in script numbering is stamped at the rear of the bottom tang, behind the lever. “J.P. Lower” is stamped on the top flat of the brass receiver and on the breech end of the barrel. The loading gate is located on the right side of the receiver, with the saddle ring mounted on the left side of the brass frame
John Pray Lower (J.P. Lower) was a prominent 19th century Colorado pioneer gunsmith, retailer and marksman based in Denver, Colorado. He armed many frontier lawmen, gamblers and buffalo hunters, often stamping his name on rifles and revolvers.
Overall in very good condition, with good wood to metal fitting. Good working order with a good action. Good rifling, with overall 8/10 bore. Hard to find frontier carbine that has not been knocked around.