1866 Yellowboy Trapper 16" Barrel .45 Colt Charcoal Blued Finish
Originally known as the "Improved Henry" due to its patented loading gate on the side of the frame, designed by Nelson King, Winchester's plant superintendent, and the addition of a wood forearm, the 1866 model was known as the "Yellow Boy" by the Native Americans, because of its brass frame. The '66 model was the first true cowboy lever-action and the first that adapted well to carrying in a saddle scabbard, due to its slab sided design. With over 170,000 made between 1866-1898--it's popularity continued long after more powerful lever guns were introduced. The '66 model was famous worldwide, with guns used by the forces of Benito Juarez in Mexico, the Turkish army in their fight against the Russians and in the Wild West by such notables as Sioux Medicine Man Sitting Bull, the Union Pacific's chief engineer, General Grenville Dodge, and desperado Bill Doolin. Cimarron offers several 1866 Yellowboys, such as the 24-inch barreled Sporting Rifle, a 20-inch Short Rifle (both of these models sport octagon barrels), round barreled carbines including the 19-inch saddle ring carbine, a brass tack-decorated 19-inch Indian carbine, and a 16-inch Trapper model. Calibers available include .45 Colt
The information below comes from our Gun Caliber Dictionary and is for
general reference only. It does not describe the specifications of this
particular item.
The 45 Colt (45 Long Colt) was introduced in 1873 in Colt's Single Action Army. Adopted by the U.S. military in 1875, it served until 1892 when it was replaced by the less powerful (and unsatisfactory) 38 Long Colt. Originally loaded with 40 grains of blackpowder and a 255-grain bullet the 45 Colt produced about 900 feet per second for more than 400 foot-pounds of energy, a powerful handgun cartridge for its day--and any day. Using a .454-inch bullet, today's standard load retains the 255-grain bullet at 860 fps. Lighter bullets at somewhat higher velocities are available. 45 Colt was the most common chambering in Colt's single action. Today it is chambered in virtually all centerfire single-action revolvers and has been chambered in numerous large-frame double-action revolvers. 45 Colt is the most popular revolver cartridge in cowboy action shooting, and remains a powerful and effective personal defense cartridge, its only drawback being the necessity for a large revolver to house it.
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Craig Boddington
