The Taylor's & Co. 1866 "Yellowboy" Carbine is a lever-action reproduction chambered in .45 Colt, built around the original 1866 Winchester design with its distinctive brass receiver. The 19-inch barrel keeps the overall length to 37.88 inches, carbine territory, manageable in the saddle or in the field. Capacity is 10+1 rounds, weight is 7.5 lbs., and the stock is walnut. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 1866 "Yellowboy" Carbine 
• Caliber: .45 Colt (LC) 
• Action Type: Lever Action 
• Barrel Length: 19 inches 
• Overall Length: 37.88 inches 
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds 
• Weight: 7.5 lbs. 
• Stock Material: Walnut 
• Finish: Blue with Brass Receiver 
• Sights: Blade Front & Ladder Rear 
   

Features 

 
The brass receiver is the visual signature of the 1866 design. It's also why the rifle got its nickname. Functionally it's the same toggle-link action Winchester used in the original, which means smooth cycling and a satisfying mechanical feel that reproduction shooters tend to enjoy. 
 
.45 Colt in a 19-inch barrel generates good velocity for the cartridge and handles medium game cleanly. The ladder rear sight is adjustable for elevation. The walnut stock and blued barrel give it a period-correct look without sacrificing function. 
 

Usage 

 
This carbine is a natural fit for cowboy action shooting. The .45 Colt chambering, lever action, and period-correct styling check all the boxes for SASS competition. It also works as a hunting carbine for deer-sized game at reasonable distances. Ammunition availability for .45 Colt is generally good, though it costs more than .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum alternatives in lever guns.

The Yellowboy draws a consistent crowd: cowboy action shooters, western history enthusiasts, and hunters who want a classic-looking carbine that actually functions.

The craftsmanship gets the most consistent praise. The brass receiver and walnut stock look right, and the lever action cycles smoothly out of the box for most owners. Accuracy reports are positive at the ranges where .45 Colt is typically used, and the carbine format makes it easy to carry for extended periods.

The practical criticisms are honest ones. The rifle runs heavier than modern carbines of similar barrel length, which matters over a long day in the field. Loading through the magazine tube is slower and more fiddly than a detachable box magazine. That's inherent to the design, not a defect, but it's worth knowing. .45 Colt ammunition costs more than common rifle cartridges, and reloading components are available but not universal.

A smaller number of buyers mention that the original 1866-style action requires some familiarization if you're coming from a more modern lever gun like a Marlin or Henry. Overall the sentiment is positive among buyers who understood what they were getting, a well-made reproduction with genuine historical character and real practical utility in the right contexts.