<P> 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 . </P>
<P> 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 . </P>
when was the first winchester repeating rifle made
when was the first winchester repeating rifle made
1866
1866