
Availability: In Stock
The Cimarron 1866 Yellowboy .45 Colt short rifle with octagon barrel is one of the most iconic lever-action designs ever to leave a gunmaker's shop. Known as the "Yellowboy" for its gleaming brass frame—a detail that caught the eye of Native Americans and frontier settlers alike—this rifle represents a genuine piece of Old West heritage. The 1866 model was the first lever-action to truly adapt to saddle carry, thanks to its slab-sided profile and Nelson King's patented side-loading gate innovation. If you're building a collection of classic American rifles or seeking an authentic period rifle for Cowboy Action Shooting, this Cimarron reproduction captures the design that saw service from the American frontier to Mexico, Turkey, and beyond.
This particular model pairs a 20-inch octagon barrel with a walnut stock and forearm, striking a balance between handling and sight radius. The brass frame pairs with a standard blue finish on the steel barrel and receiver, creating that distinctive contrast Yellowboy lovers expect. At 7.56 pounds, it carries like a rifle meant for real work—light enough for a day in the saddle, substantial enough to point naturally. The .45 Colt chambering is popular among Cowboy Action competitors and lever-gun enthusiasts who value controllable recoil and proven stopping power in a rifle that demands respect.
Cimarron builds these rifles to shoot, not merely to display. The short rifle format makes it equally at home on the range, in a saddle scabbard, or as the centerpiece of a serious Old West firearms collection. Whether you're chasing authenticity, competition, or just the romance of a rifle that would've been carried across the frontier, the 1866 Yellowboy short rifle delivers both history and function.
| Caliber | .45 Colt |
| Barrel Length | 20 inches |
| Barrel Style | Octagon |
| Frame | Brass |
| Finish | Standard Blue |
| Stock/Forearm | Walnut |
| Weight | 7.56 lbs |
| Model | CA234 |
Yes. The 1866 model was the first true cowboy lever-action and remains a popular choice for Cowboy Action competitions. Its design for quick saddle carry and its .45 Colt chambering make it well-suited to the sport.
The term comes from the brass frame, which has a distinctive golden appearance. Native Americans called the 1866 model the "Yellowboy" because of this brass construction, a name that has stuck with the design for over 150 years.
The 1866's slab-sided profile was specifically designed to carry well in a saddle scabbard—one of the key improvements that made it the first truly practical cowboy lever-action. The 20-inch barrel length supports that purpose.
This CA234 model features a standard blue finish on the steel components paired with the brass frame. Cimarron offers other finish options on different 1866 variants, including charcoal blue and original finish, depending on the specific model.

SKU: 120922771 • Weight: 8.25oz





Availability: In Stock
The Cimarron 1866 Yellowboy .45 Colt short rifle with octagon barrel is one of the most iconic lever-action designs ever to leave a gunmaker's shop. Known as the "Yellowboy" for its gleaming brass frame—a detail that caught the eye of Native Americans and frontier settlers alike—this rifle represents a genuine piece of Old West heritage. The 1866 model was the first lever-action to truly adapt to saddle carry, thanks to its slab-sided profile and Nelson King's patented side-loading gate innovation. If you're building a collection of classic American rifles or seeking an authentic period rifle for Cowboy Action Shooting, this Cimarron reproduction captures the design that saw service from the American frontier to Mexico, Turkey, and beyond.
This particular model pairs a 20-inch octagon barrel with a walnut stock and forearm, striking a balance between handling and sight radius. The brass frame pairs with a standard blue finish on the steel barrel and receiver, creating that distinctive contrast Yellowboy lovers expect. At 7.56 pounds, it carries like a rifle meant for real work—light enough for a day in the saddle, substantial enough to point naturally. The .45 Colt chambering is popular among Cowboy Action competitors and lever-gun enthusiasts who value controllable recoil and proven stopping power in a rifle that demands respect.
Cimarron builds these rifles to shoot, not merely to display. The short rifle format makes it equally at home on the range, in a saddle scabbard, or as the centerpiece of a serious Old West firearms collection. Whether you're chasing authenticity, competition, or just the romance of a rifle that would've been carried across the frontier, the 1866 Yellowboy short rifle delivers both history and function.
| Caliber | .45 Colt |
| Barrel Length | 20 inches |
| Barrel Style | Octagon |
| Frame | Brass |
| Finish | Standard Blue |
| Stock/Forearm | Walnut |
| Weight | 7.56 lbs |
| Model | CA234 |
Yes. The 1866 model was the first true cowboy lever-action and remains a popular choice for Cowboy Action competitions. Its design for quick saddle carry and its .45 Colt chambering make it well-suited to the sport.
The term comes from the brass frame, which has a distinctive golden appearance. Native Americans called the 1866 model the "Yellowboy" because of this brass construction, a name that has stuck with the design for over 150 years.
The 1866's slab-sided profile was specifically designed to carry well in a saddle scabbard—one of the key improvements that made it the first truly practical cowboy lever-action. The 20-inch barrel length supports that purpose.
This CA234 model features a standard blue finish on the steel components paired with the brass frame. Cimarron offers other finish options on different 1866 variants, including charcoal blue and original finish, depending on the specific model.
SKU: 120922771 • Weight: 8.25oz
