The first Winchester rifle -- the Winchester Model 1866 -- was originally chambered for the rimfire. 44 Henry. Nicknamed the "Yellow Boy '' because of its receiver of a bronze / brass alloy called gunmetal, it was famous for its rugged construction and lever - action "repeating rifle '' mechanism that allowed the user to fire a number of shots before having to reload. Nelson King 's improved patent remedied flaws in the Henry rifle by incorporating a loading gate on the side of the frame and integrating a round, sealed magazine which was partially covered by a forestock.
when was the first winchester repeating rifle made
1866