What lever is he carrying?

[rangerider7]

A nice old photo. It looks like a 1866 carbine, but not sure. What do you think?

[longarm4146]

I believe you nailed it on the head......

[KirkD]

If that is a real 1866 and not a prop, there should be a loading gate visible. The lack of a loading gate in the photo might indicate that it is either a prop, or the plate has been reversed when the print was made (i.e., the fellow is actually left-handed and we are looking at the left side of the receiver). If I recall correctly, the Model 1873 in 22 rimfire had no loading gate, but I think it still had sideplates; this one does not. I conclude, therefore, that what the fellow is holding is either a prop, or the plate has been reversed in the printing and we're looking at the left side of an 1866 Carbine. I've seen a few old prints where the plate was reversed, so this could very well be the case.

[kimwcook]

KirkD +1.

[Hobie]

It is likely the plate was reversed in printing. How many shops found it feasible to purchase prop guns when so many real ones were about? Also, it seems to me the plate line is visible, barely. They aren't like the 1873s.

[KirkD]

A famous example of a plate reversal when making the print is the photo of Billy the Kid. In that case, he's holding a '73 but the loading gate is on the wrong side of the gun .... an indicator that the plate was reversed when making the print. Some historians who didn't know their guns concluded that Billy the Kid was left handed. However, once it was noticed that the print was a reversal, it was concluded that he was right handed afterall. In this case, the fellow looks like he's left handed if we assume the print is a reversal of the plate.

[J Miller]

Look close at the raised area where the barrel threads into the receiver on both pictures. The carbine the guy in the pic is holding is not an 1866. I think it's a Colt-Burgess with the plate reversed:




Joe

[Dastook]

You guys never cease to amaze me. I would have never picked up on any of the stuff you'll do. You humble me daily.

[Hobie]

Maybe Joe but I look at where his "left" thumb is and I see Winchester. I look at the top of the receiver and I don't see...

[J Miller]

Hobie,

To be honest, on my monitor I can't see any ejection port. Square or rounded. But the raised receiver over the barrel, and the shapes of the lever just don't look Winchesterish to me.

Joe

[Gun Smith]

Could it be a Henry?

[KirkD]

He's got his thumb over the ejection port. The front of the lever and the extension under the receiver where the lever hinges, all look like a '66 to me.

[Hobie]

If you look at his "left" hand, it is wrapped around the forward portion of a 66 receiver, the Burgess doesn't have that shape there. IOW, the receiver is too long to be a Burgess.

[C. Cash]

Something tells me that at least what he is wearing are props. Look at how shiney and new his belt looks. How many fellas wore buckskin pants really? Can't decide on the rifle.

[jody]

Gentlemen somthing just isnt right
If the plate was reversed and we are looking at the left side the rifle
the barrel seems to be pointed in the wrong direction
Jody

[Griff]

Good call Kirk.

Maybe this'll help:

[J Miller]

OK, I saved the pic and reversed it. This pic on the forum is out of focus and about twice it's normal size. When flipped with the carbine pointing to the left, the pic does make more sense.
And Hobie and KirkD are probably right. I wish I could get a larger in focus pic to look at. But since I can't I'll defer to them.
I also agree with C.Cash, the clothes are props. The pants are still creased and the moccasins are too nice to have been worn too much.



Joe

[rangerider7]

Studying the details of old photos proves the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words".

[Hobie]

OK, I saved the pic and reversed it. This pic on the forum is out of focus and about twice it's normal size. When flipped with the carbine pointing to the left, the pic does make more sense.
And Hobie and KirkD are probably right. I wish I could get a larger in focus pic to look at. But since I can't I'll defer to them.
I also agree with C.Cash, the clothes are props. The pants are still creased and the moccasins are too nice to have been worn too much.



Joe

Thanks for taking the time to do what we wouldn't do. You shouldn't feel so bad, I've been in the Army for 27½ years looking at everything backwards!

[Griff]

Could it be a Henry?

Barrel bands, plus barrel & mag are separate pieces, and I don't see the knurled knob on the mag tube to be one of them new production pieces!

[Ysabel Kid]

I think you fella pegged it. Kirk, I was thinking the same thing - the famous "Billy the Kid" print popped into my head right away!

I wonder why they reversed so many photo plates back then?

[FWiedner]

Not professing any expertise here, but I think it's a prop.