This tim’úuni (rifle) belonged to Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) warrior hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf) and he carried it with him throughout the majority of the Nez Perce War of 1877. The tim’úuni (rifle), a Winchester Carbine Model 66.44 Rim Fire, was commercially produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company beginning in 1866. Evidence suggests that hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf) had this tim’úuni (rifle) with him for every battle of the Nez Perce War of 1877, with the exception of the opening battle, Lamáta (The Battle of White Bird Canyon), fought on June 17, 1877. Though it is unknown why hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf) was without this specific tim’úuni (rifle) at the beginning of the Nez Perce War, it is believed that his mother brought the tim’úuni (rifle) to him. Evidence suggests hímiin maqsmáqs’ (Yellow Wolf's) mother took the rifle apart and carried it in her pack to bring to hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf). In the process of bringing the rifle to hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf), hímiin maqsmáqs' (Yellow Wolf's) mother barely escaped harm from the attack on ’elelímyeté’qenin’ (Chief Looking Glass's) camp on July 1, 1877. Though the specific time is unknown, it believed that hímiin maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf) gave his tim’úuni (rifle) to L.V. McWhorter sometime after the Nez Perce War of 1877 concluded.
hímiin maqsmáqs’ (Yellow Wolf's) Winchester Carbine Model 66.44 Rim Fire is 102 cm total in length, made of wood, and has a brass receiver. This particular model of tim’úuni (rifle) was unique due to its brass receiver. The tim’úuni (rifle) has rust on its barrel and butt-plate, plus damage to its magazine tube. In addition, the stock is likely a replacement as it is reddish-brown in color. The tim’úuni (rifle's) butt stock has been channeled and filled at the corners both on its top and its bottom. Additionally, the forestock ahead of the barrel band is cracked in two places, the saddle-ring staple is cut off nearly flush with the receiver, and the saddle-ring itself is missing. This tim’úuni (rifle's) specific serial number, 126589, is engraved on one of its sides.
Image 1: This photo displays the opposing side of the Winchester Carbine Model 66.44 Rim Fire tim’úuni (rifle). On the stock/back portion of the tim’úuni (rifle) are stickers related to museum inventory/cataloging information, including an orange sticker reading "W.S.C." for "Washington State College."
Image 2: This photo displays the opposing side of the Winchester Carbine Model 66.44 Rim Fire tim’úuni (rifle). On the stock/back portion of the tim’úuni (rifle) are stickers related to museum inventory/cataloging information, including an orange sticker reading "W.S.C." for "Washington State College."
