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Author Topic: Get your kicks on Route '66  (Read 10819 times)

Offline Captainkirk

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Get your kicks on Route '66
« on: March 04, 2019, 05:54:36 AM »
Oh, yes I did... ;)

Put some earnest money down on a Navy Arms Winchester '66 "Yellow Boy" chambered in .44-40 WCF that I stumbled across at the LGS the other day. It's seen some use, and the receiver is well patina'd, nice wood and very tight action. I'm not in a huge hurry to pay it off and take it home as the BP range doesn't open until May (flooding notwithstanding) and it happens to be hovering around at 0 degrees F today in my neck of the woods.
But I just couldn't let this one get away.
Pix and other goodies when they become available.

"They call me mellow yellow"...   L@J
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Offline Hawg

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2019, 06:36:28 AM »
Cool Beans!!!
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Offline Captainkirk

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2019, 06:42:42 AM »
Quote from: Hawg on March 04, 2019, 06:36:28 AM
Cool Beans!!!

Thanks! This one has been on my "short list" for a long time. It played a huge role in the Indian wars of the Old West (on both sides) and it happens to be chambered in the best period cartridge (IMHO) for that rifle; .44-40 WCF as opposed to the many other chambering versions out there in .45LC, .357/.38 spl, and others that this gun never originally came chambered in.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2019, 07:01:24 AM by Captainkirk »
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Offline ShotgunDave

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2019, 08:05:33 AM »
Good for you Capt! The 66 is on my short list too. As soon as funds become available, I'll have one too.

Can't wait for your pictures.
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Offline Hawg

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2019, 08:28:12 AM »
Quote from: Captainkirk on March 04, 2019, 06:42:42 AM
Quote from: Hawg on March 04, 2019, 06:36:28 AM
Cool Beans!!!

Thanks! This one has been on my "short list" for a long time. It played a huge role in the Indian wars of the Old West (on both sides) and it happens to be chambered in the best period cartridge (IMHO) for that rifle; .44-40 WCF as opposed to the many other chambering versions out there in .45LC, .357/.38 spl, and others that this gun never originally came chambered in.

The only cartridges they were chambered in was the .44 Henry and 44 WCF. They weren't discontinued until 1899.
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Offline Captainkirk

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2019, 08:41:06 AM »
Quote from: Hawg on March 04, 2019, 08:28:12 AM
The only cartridges they were chambered in was the .44 Henry and 44 WCF. They weren't discontinued until 1899.

.44 Henry was a rimfire, right?
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Offline tljack

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2019, 09:28:14 AM »
I love the 44-40 in a lever gun! I shoot only black in mine and the bottle neck of this cartridge is enough to keep all the BP crud out of the action. I only have to clean the barrel!
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Offline Hawg

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2019, 09:32:51 AM »
Quote from: Captainkirk on March 04, 2019, 08:41:06 AM
Quote from: Hawg on March 04, 2019, 08:28:12 AM
The only cartridges they were chambered in was the .44 Henry and 44 WCF. They weren't discontinued until 1899.

.44 Henry was a rimfire, right?

Yep.
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Offline Captainkirk

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2019, 12:50:23 PM »
Forgot to mention; this is the 'rifle version' with octagon barrel. Really handsome gun.
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Offline mazo kid

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2019, 01:21:19 PM »
Good for you Capt'n. I HAD a Yellow Boy in 44-40 for a while, never did shoot it. It was part of a trade deal that a friend and I  were engaged in. I never got a chance to shoot it, and after a while my friend decided he wanted it back, so another round of deals ensued.
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Offline Captainkirk

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2019, 01:35:55 PM »
Quote from: mazo kid on March 04, 2019, 01:21:19 PM
Good for you Capt'n. I HAD a Yellow Boy in 44-40 for a while, never did shoot it. It was part of a trade deal that a friend and I  were engaged in. I never got a chance to shoot it, and after a while my friend decided he wanted it back, so another round of deals ensued.

THAT ain't no 'friend'. J*j
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Offline Hawg

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2019, 06:01:53 PM »
Quote from: scooby on March 04, 2019, 02:44:29 PM
The 1866 was not chambered in 44 WCF. Rather, it was the 44 Henry Centerfire. These came out toward the end of production and are very rare.

I stand sit corrected.
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Offline Dellbert

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2019, 06:22:24 PM »
Glad you got one CK. Happy, Happy, Happy.
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Offline LonesomePigeon

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2019, 09:25:45 AM »
Congrats!
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Offline Captainkirk

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Re: Get your kicks on Route '66
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2019, 10:03:12 AM »
Well, now that I've paid this thing off and drug it home like a proud papa bringing home the new baby from the hospital, time for show & tell.

Meet the new kid on the block...Navy Arms Winchester '66 "Yellow Boy" in .44-40 WCF



Left side view:



Right side with the famous Nelson King loading gate; the patent that turned the problematic Henry design into Winchester's bread and butter.



Forearm with brass cap. They also made a version with a blued cap; I think the brass looks better to my eyes:



Buttstock. I can't believe how nice the wood is on this thing!



Front sight in the "flipped-down" position...



...and "elevated".



Caliber stamp: .44-40 WCF



Date code [AD] (1978) and proof marks



Importer's mark (Navy Arms)



Tang with rifle model designation



The famous (or infamous, depending on your view) "elevator shaft"





So, there you have it in all it's glory. Sorry for the lousy pix, will try to get more (better) when time allows.

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