Uberti 1866 Yellowboy
The Uberti 1866 Yellowboy is a reproduction of the original Winchester 1866 — the rifle that earned its nickname from its brass receiver, one generation before the more famous 1873. Impact Guns carries it as a 19" Carbine, a 20" Short Rifle in .38 Special or .45 Colt, and a 24" octagon-barrel Sporting configuration, plus an Engraved Deluxe edition for collectors.
Read our full Uberti 1866 Yellowboy Buying Guide ↓
Why "Yellowboy"? The Brass Frame Explained
The 1866 earned its "Yellowboy" nickname from its brass alloy receiver, which develops a warm yellow-gold patina distinct from the case-hardened or blued steel frames of later Winchester lever guns. It's the same general toggle-link action as the 1873 that followed it, just wrapped in a different frame material and finish.
1866 vs. 1873: What Changed
The 1873 that followed the 1866 switched from a brass to an iron/steel frame, which allowed stronger cartridges — the 1866 is chambered in pistol-caliber rounds like .38 Special and .45 Colt rather than the .44-40 the 1873 could handle at introduction. If you want the brass-frame look specifically, the 1866 is the only way to get it in Uberti's current lineup; if chambering flexibility matters more, the 1873 has the broader caliber range.
Carbine vs. Short Rifle vs. Sporting
The Carbine runs a 19" barrel for the shortest, lightest configuration. The Short Rifle steps up to 20" in either .38 Special or .45 Colt. The Sporting configuration is the longest at 24" with an octagon barrel profile, chambered in .45 Colt, for the classic full-length rifle look and longest sight radius in the lineup.
The Engraved Deluxe Edition
The Engraved Yellowboy Deluxe Rifle adds decorative engraving to the brass receiver and upgraded fit and finish over the standard configurations — a collector-oriented piece for buyers who want the Yellowboy's distinctive look taken further rather than a working cowboy-action gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Uberti 1866 called the Yellowboy? Its brass alloy receiver develops a warm yellow-gold patina, distinct from the steel frames of later Winchester lever guns — the nickname stuck from the original rifle's introduction.
What's the difference between the 1866 Yellowboy and the 1873? The 1866 uses a brass frame and is chambered in pistol-caliber rounds like .38 Special and .45 Colt. The 1873 switched to an iron/steel frame with a broader caliber range. If you want the brass-frame look, the 1866 is the only option in Uberti's current lineup.
What barrel lengths does the Uberti 1866 Yellowboy come in? 19" (Carbine), 20" (Short Rifle, in .38 Special or .45 Colt), and 24" octagon (Sporting, .45 Colt).
See Also: Uberti • Uberti 1873 Cattleman • Lever-Action Rifles