A historic Winchester Model 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine attributed to Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull with paperwork included. The rifle is chambered in .44 caliber and was the first rifle to bear the Winchester name, known as the “Yellowboy”. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the early pattern, two-line marking "HENRY'S PATENT-OCT. 16. 1860/ KING'S PATENT-MARCH 29. 1866." Serial number stamped 21384, manufactured in 1868-1869 being an early production carbine.
The rifle was examined by The Guns of History and found to be marked in Togia Lakota marks signed by Sitting Bull / Slow Hunkpapa on the right and left side of the stock and right and left side of the action (illustration 1-4). Sitting Bull / Slow is also found written behind the back sight (illustration 5). On the right side of the forestock, “Sitting Bull / Slow – Hunkpapa – thank you – Wakan Tanka – the great mystery – victory – Rosebud – battle – kill – soldier – scarlet blanket” (illustration 5) and “Sitting Bull / Slow – Hunkpapa – kill – plenty” on the top of the action (illustration 7). The name Grey Eagle written on the left side of the forearm (illustration8) and Sitting Bull / Slow on the top of the action and tang (illustration 9 and 10).
It is attributed as being from the Metis or Slota of Canada, who were French Canadian trading posts along the Minnesota River and the head waters of the Mississippi River in present day Minnesota. David Bald Eagle gave testimony handed down to him from White Bull (Sitting Bull’s nephew) that Jean Louis Legare the Metis / Slota traded the carbine to Sitting Bull in exchange for a horse and the rights to trade with the Hunkpapa people, and that Sitting Bull prized the rifle as it was his first repeating rifle. Later when Sitting Bull was killed on December 15, 1890, Old Bull stated that Grey Eagle went into Sitting Bull’s Cabin No. 3 and took his favorite carbine, in tradition Grey Eagle marked the gun as well.
This is truly a fantastic early production Winchester Henry King’s Patent Model 1866 repeating lever action rifle chambered in .44 caliber attributed to being owned and signed by one of the most historic important figures of American History, Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux leader Sitting Bull. Paperwork included. Antique firearm NO FFL.