Manufactured circa 1869. Blued 24" octagon barrel roll stamped on the top flat with 2-line Winchester address. German silver blade front sight and 900 yard graduated ladder rear sight. Brass 3rd Model receiver. Varnished straight grain walnut forend mounted with a a brass nose cap with iron sling swivel. Matching butt stock is likewise varnished but of nicer figure, numbered "7418" in the channel. Stock affixed with rear sling swivel and matching "7418" numbered brass crescent rifle butt plate. Tool trap retains an original 4-piece brass tipped iron wiping rod. Importantly, the left side plate of this rifle is inscribed "S. Jenkins / from / J. Mc. A. Jr. / JANUARY 1st 1870." Rifle is attributed to Samuel Washington Jenkins, born in 1848 in Bryson City, North Carolina. After seeing five of his older brothers join up and fight for the Confederacy, Jenkins attempted to enlist at 16 years old but was rejected. He instead went to Maryville, Tennessee, where he joined the Union Army, claiming he was 18 years old. He mustered into the Third Regiment, Company L of the Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry Volunteers on June 17, 1864, and was soon promoted to Corporal. During his service, Jenkins helped deliver supplies to General Sherman on his March Through Georgia, in addition to seeing action at Okolona, Mississippi, and at Ivy Farm against Nathan Forest. Fighting against Forrest's cavalry again defending the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, they were forced to surrender on September 24, 1864, and were marched to Castle Morgan prison in Alabama, where he was held under brutal conditions until brought to the Union lines at Vicksburg in 1865 for a prisoner exchange. After the surrender at Appomattox, Jenkins and along with an estimated 2200 others, mostly former POWs, boarded the well-overloaded steamship Sultana bound for Ohio to be discharged. On April 27, the ship's boilers burst, causing the single deadliest maritime disaster in American history. Nearly 1200 perished. Jenkins was thrown from an upper deck and suffered a scrotal rupture but survived as a good swimmer and was picked up by a gunboat. After the War, Jenkins took up life as a physician before passing away in 1933. It is uncertain who presented this rifle or for what occasion. CONDITION: Fine. Barrel and magazine tube retain the vast majority of their factory blue with high edge wear and thinning. Brass displays a pleasant mottled golden patina as cleaned at some point long ago. Hammer retains faint traces of case color, the lever faded to brown patina. Stocks have some usual scattered nicks and an added coat of finish. A repair present on the left side of the wrist. Strong bore with well-defined rifling throughout and some freckles. Fine mechanics. A very nice, historic Winchester that would make a welcome addition to any collection of Winchesters or Civil War arms. Barrel Length: 24" Caliber/Bore: .44 RF FFL Status: Antique Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1866 Paperwork: Research Serial Number: 27418