Produced by Francis Carter Wood, Inc. and Tobin International Productions on behalf of the Winchester-Western Division of Olin Corporation in 1966, this narrative promotional video titled “The Return of the ‘66” celebrates 100 years of Winchester-Western’s famed ‘66 model rifle also known as the Winchester Yellowboy. The film follows the rifle model as it first came into use in 1866 by American pioneers during the Westward Expansion and continued to be the rifle of choice amongst professional and sport marksmen into the 1960s. The film utilizes stock western scenes contributed by Twentieth Century Fox known for producing the program “Stagecoach” and features narration by American character actor Frank S. Ferguson.
Winchester ‘66 laying on top of horse saddle (0:15). Bison with an arid plane and canyon in the background (0:17). Cowboy aims and shoots from on top of rock year while horse stands below (0:38). Different younger cowboy in same position, flash forward this time there is a car parked instead of a horse (1:09). Man and uncle out hunting with Winchester 13 shooter model rifle discussing moving west towards the Rocky Mountains (1:26). Two people riding horses while pulling along a third horse, narrator discussing pioneers taking the Westward Expansion trails (2:46). Bison running across a plain (3:00). Cowboys set up aim and shoot at bison from behind rocks (3:27). Shootout between pioneers hiding behind prairie schooner and Native Americans on horseback (3:52). Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach (4:22). Emma Sweeney locomotive train (4:29). Dramatized paintings of the Battle of the Little Bighorn (4:47). Calendar featuring cowboy and Native American holding Winchester rifle (5:16). Close up of Winchester rifle trigger and bullets (5:33). Wide Shot of vast plain (6:00). Antelopes running in packs (6:19). Winchester model 76 leaning on buffalo skull (6:40). Silhouette of cowboy on horse riding into the sunset (7:09). Winchester Repeating Arms Co. calendar cover (7:19). Mountain lion (7:25). Close up of another calendar from 1892 (7:32). Close up of a ram (7:51). Bull elks trekking in snow (8:05). Shooting ducks from pound (8:30). Portrait of William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody (9:05). Poster for shooting exhibition by Ad Topperwein and his wife Elizabeth (Plinky) Topperwein (9:11). Herb Parsons showcasing marksmanship (9:36). Spectators clapping (10:44). Hunting birds (11:34). Duck blind wading in water (11:48). Laying decoy ducks to attract canvasback ducks of the Great Lakes (12:07). Hunting mallards from secluded ponds (12:28). Waiting for birds in cornfields of Maryland (12:56). Role of hunting dogs like the Labrador retriever, English pointer, and English settler (13:25). Father and son duo go out for a hunt (14:09). Women hunting with Winchester 66 rifle (14:38). Scenes of mule deer and white tail deer in nature scenes, hunters carrying one out of forest (15:05). Prong-horned antelope of western North America and hunter (16:17). Caribou foraging on northern tundra and hunters waiting for them (16:59). Bear hunting and narration of quote from Teddy Rosevelt (18:05). Bear skin hanging and moose antlers on the back of a hunter (18:55). Hunters’ campsite (19:02). Hunters doing clay pigeons (19:30). Target shooting competitions and arcade on Coney Island Amusement Park boardwalk (19:49). Montage of elephants, rhinoceros, gazelles, cape buffalo and exotic animal hunting in African Savannah (20:16). Hunter victory celebration in Africa (21:38). Return to opening scenes in American prairie (22:06). Close up of rifle body for new model commemorating the Winchester Yellowboy 1866 22:29). Scenes of nature and various animals (22:53). Double exposure of rifle with cowboy riding out into vast plain (24:32).
The Winchester Model 1866, often called the “Yellowboy” because of its distinctive brass receiver was a refinement of the earlier Henry toggle-linkage action. It featured improvements developed by Nelson King, the Winchester factory manager, including a closed magazine tube, a right side loading gate and a wooden forearm. The Model 1866 was quickly adopted for military use. The age of the repeater had begun.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
